psps

Planned Safety Outages to Prevent Wildfires and Keep Members Safe


Increasing Wildfire Risk
Wildfire risk is escalating due to climate change, driving increased wildfire threats for communities across the western United States. Electric grids were not designed to handle these new challenges. Keeping members safe and ensuring reliable service now requires innovative system operations, new safety measures, and an intensified focus on addressing risk.


What is a PSPS?
A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) occurs when Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CCEC) temporarily shuts off power during extreme weather conditions to prevent our electric system from becoming a potential ignition source. A PSPS is a last-resort measure to ensure the safety of our members and communities.


What CCEC Members Can Expect

  • Early Warning Notifications: CCEC will attempt to notify members in advance of a potential PSPS event via automated calls, text messages, press releases to local media, social media, and CCEC’s website. CCEC will also attempt to notify affected members again before shutting off power and throughout the event until power is restored. However, circumstances beyond CCEC’s control, such as the rapid onset of extreme weather conditions, may disrupt coordination and notification efforts. 
  • Ongoing Updates: CCEC will provide continuous updates throughout the PSPS through social media, local news outlets, and our website www.ccec.coop.
  • Safety Inspections: After extreme weather has passed, CCEC will inspect the lines and equipment in affected areas to determine for damage.  Damaged equipment must be repaired before power can be safely restored, which could take several days. Please prepare for the possibility of an extended outage.
  • Power Restoration: Power will remain off as long as extreme weather conditions pose a potential fire risk. Outages could last hours or days. That is why it is critically important for everyone to have an emergency plan in place, not just for a potential PSPS, but for any natural disaster.

PSPS Triggers
We monitor several weather factors to decide whether a PSPS is needed to keep members safe. Although you may not live or work in a high fire-threat area or an area experiencing high winds, your power may be shut off if your community relies on a line that runs through an area that does. The goal is to impact as few members as possible in pre-identified areas through a highly targeted, circuit-by-circuit manner. Below are the factors that determine a PSPS, if needed.

  • High, sustained winds.
  • Extremely low humidity.
  • Current and forecasted weather conditions from multiple third parties and weather stations. 
  • Real-time, on-the-ground observations.
  • Input from local public agencies.
  • No single factor alone necessitates a PSPS. 


Locations of PSPS
PSPS events typically do not impact all members at once. They are targeted measures focused on high-risk areas. Our goal is to minimize disruption of service while ensuring community safety. 


How can CCEC members prepare?

  • Update your contact information with CCEC by calling 541-332-3931.
  • Create a personal safety plan for your household, including pets and livestock.
  • Plan for medical needs (e.g., refrigerated medications, powered devices).  
  • Stock an emergency kit with food, water, flashlights, a radio, batteries, first aid supplies, and cash. For more information on how to build a kit, visit [Insert link] for more details.
  • Have backup charging methods for cellular devices and medical devices.
  • Learn how to open your garage door manually.
  • Ensure backup generators are operational and safe.
  • Consider the unique needs of your family and loved ones in your emergency plan.
  • Designate an emergency meeting location.

Additional Resources

CCEC Outage Map

CCEC Wildfire Mitigation

Ready.gov

Coos Forest Protective Agency

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Curry County Emergency Management

Coos County Emergency Management

PSPS FAQs

CCEC will notify members as soon as possible through various channels (phone, email, text, social media, and media advisories) when a PSPS is necessary. Whenever possible, CCEC will attempt to notify members approximately 72 to 48 hours in advance of a potential PSPS event, and again approximately 24 hours before de-energizing the lines. Additional notifications will be provided throughout the outage, when power is shut off, and when it is restored. However,  weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances can affect our ability to give notice.

Timeline for a PSPS

  • 3 to 7 days before: Hazardous weather conditions are forecast that could lead to a PSPS. CCEC will be actively monitoring those conditions.
  • Up to 48 hours before: Once extreme weather conditions and other hazardous variables (such as extremely dry conditions) are met and sustained, CCEC will begin coordinating. Members/ Public will receive first notification of a PSPS.
  • 24 Hours before: CCEC will continue to monitor extreme wildfire conditions. Coordination between CCEC and stakeholders will continue. Members/ Public in potential shutoff areas receive additional notice including why a PSPS may occur, the number of members impacted, areas impacted, potential timeline of the event, and information about community resources. 
     

Power will remain out as long as extreme and dangerous weather conditions pose a potential fire risk. The duration depends on the severity of the weather and other factors. Outages can range from hours to days. It is important to have an emergency plan in place. The shutoff will continue until the risk has passed, followed by line inspections, repairs, and power restoration during daylight hours.

CCEC will attempt to notify members approximately 48 hours in advance of a potential PSPS event and again approximately 24 hours before de-energizing the lines. CCEC intends to provide additional communications, throughout the outages, and when power is restored. However, situations may prevent CCEC from providing notice as the onset of extreme weather conditions and circumstances beyond CCEC’s control may disrupt coordination and notification efforts. 


CCEC will use various communication channels to notify members. This includes the website, website alerts, social media updates, email, automated calls, and text messages. 
 

If you rely on electricity or battery-dependent medical technologies such as breathing machines, a power wheelchair or scooter, and home oxygen or dialysis, it is crucial to have a plan in place for a power outage during all seasons, year-round. Consider a backup power source if you have medical equipment that requires electricity.

  • Update your contact information at CCEC by calling 541-332-3931
  • Have a personal safety plan in place for all members of your household including pets and livestock.
  • Plan for any medical needs like medications that need to be refrigerated or devices that require power.
  • Create or restock your emergency supply kit, including food, water, flashlights, a radio, fresh batteries, first aid supplies, and cash. For more information on how to build a kit visit [Insert link]
  • Backup charging methods for cellular devices and medical devices.
  • Know how to open your garage door manually.
  • Ensure any backup generators are ready to operate safely.
  • Identify the unique needs of your family and loved ones in the area for your emergency plan.
  • -    Designate an emergency meeting location. 
     
  • Avoid opening your refrigerator during an outage.
  • If you have a freezer, a full freezer can keep food viable for up to 48 hours, and a half-full freezer for 24 hours. 
  • Visit www.foodsafety.gov for more information on food safety during a power outage.
  • CCEC is not responsible for spoiled food.