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Bill

SB 618

Electricity: deenergization events: report: compensation.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Eloise Reyes and 1 co-sponsor

SB 618 requires California utilities to report deenergization events for wildfire prevention and compensate customers and communities affected by power shutoffs.

Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
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Bill Summary · SB 618

Legislative bill overview

SB 618 requires California utilities to report on and provide compensation for power shutoffs (deenergization events) used to prevent wildfires. The bill establishes standards for when utilities can cut power, reporting requirements about these events, and a compensation mechanism for affected customers and communities.

Why is this important

California utilities have increasingly used Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events to reduce wildfire risk, sometimes affecting hundreds of thousands of people. These shutoffs create economic hardship for businesses and individuals, disrupt medical care, and impact vulnerable populations. Clear compensation rules could address inequities while balancing wildfire prevention needs.

Potential points of contention

  • Compensation costs and rate impacts: Determining who pays for customer compensation (utilities, ratepayers, state) and whether costs get passed to all customers through higher rates
  • Utility accountability vs. operational flexibility: How strict reporting/compensation requirements might discourage necessary safety shutoffs or create legal/financial liability that conflicts with wildfire prevention
  • Defining eligible damages: What qualifies for compensation (lost food, business losses, medical impacts, emotional distress) and establishing fair valuation standards across diverse situations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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