PG & E working to determine determine the best way to generate and regulate power from the Humboldt Bay Generating Station

On Oct. 31, 2019, Supervisor Rex Bohn and Sheriff William Honsal sent a letter to Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) outlining the community’s concerns and frustration with PG&E’s handling of the Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). I



In response to that letter, PG&E executives and Humboldt County officials met today, December 9, to discuss the recent PSPS events, the concerns of our community regarding these events and progress towards the county being powered by local power generating facilities.

Among those in attendance were PG&E President and CEO of Utilities Andrew Vesey, Supervisor Rex Bohn, Sheriff William Honsal, OES Manger Ryan Derby, PG&E Senior Manager Carl Schoenhofer, Senior Public Safety Specialist Jeff Lee, Humboldt Bay Generating Station Director Steve Royall and PG&E Public Affairs specialist Alison Talbot.

During the meeting, PG&E committed to explore the feasibility of utilizing the local Humboldt Bay Generating Station to maintain power for portions of Humboldt County during future PSPS events. A project is currently underway to determine the best way to generate and regulate power from the Humboldt Bay Generating Station, with a goal of completion being mid-year 2020. PG&E also committed to keep the county’s power grid energized for as long as possible when adverse fire weather could trigger a PSPS, allowing county residents more time to prepare and plan for an outage.

Both PG&E and Humboldt County are dedicated to improving communication with the utility company to ensure that county residents remain informed and prepared. Both Supervisor Bohn and Sheriff Honsal were pleased with the meeting with CEO Andrew Versey. 

“This is a solid step in the right direction to ensure good communication and coordination with PG&E for future PSPS events,” Sheriff Honsal said.

PG&E CEO Versey pledged to have future meetings to update the county on the progress PG&E is making with the local power generating station and the North State power grid. As progress is made, county leadership will keep the community informed.

Sheriff Honsal and Supervisor Bohn would like to thank all of our local PG&E employees for working so hard to keep the power on for this community.