Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil Takes on PG&E
CALLS OUT INCOMPETENCE AT BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING
[Sonora, July 18, 2023] - In response to the recent series of power disruptions affecting thousands of residents in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties, California State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil has taken immediate action to address the incompetence exhibited by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E). District Director Lauren Hernandez, representing the Senator's office, carried a resolute message directly from the Senator at the Tuolumne Board of Supervisors meeting to confront PG&E officials and demand accountability.
Over the Independence Day holiday weekend, from July 1st to 3rd, more than 11,000 customers in Sonora, Jamestown, Groveland, and Copperopolis encountered frequent power outages, exposing them to extreme triple-digit heat without access to electricity. Initial reports by PG&E representatives attributed these outages to transformer failures, signaling a clear breakdown in the utility's infrastructure and operations. The Senator called out PG&E’s negligence in a letter to company officials on July 7th, demanding a solution.
District Director Hernandez, speaking on behalf of Senator Alvarado-Gil, emphasized the urgency of the situation during the Tuolumne Board of Supervisors meeting. She pointed out that the disruptive outages have adversely impacted public health, safety, and the local economy, making it imperative for PG&E to be held accountable for its inadequate response.
"The well-being of our constituents is our top priority," stated Hernandez. "The recent power disruptions have caused significant hardships and jeopardized the safety of our communities. We stand united in demanding answers from PG&E and swift action to rectify these preventable incidents."
Senator Alvarado-Gil's office has strongly committed to collaborating with local leaders, utility experts, and PG&E officials to identify immediate solutions to restore reliable electricity and prevent future outages. The district team will work tirelessly to ensure the affected communities' voices are heard at the state level and that appropriate measures are taken to address PG&E's shortcomings.
A resident of Jackson with first-hand experience of PG&E’s derelict equipment that leads to frequent power outages, Senator Alvarado-Gil emphasized, "Our communities deserve dependable and secure access to electricity. I am deeply concerned about the disruptions faced by our constituents, and I will continue to stand up for their well-being and interests. This will not be tolerated on my watch, not when the safety and well-being of our community is on the line."
“Senator Alvarado-Gil and her team's advocacy for Groveland's citizens in addressing PGE's faults and seeking solutions is truly appreciated. I'm also grateful for the presence of Senator’s staff at our July 18th Board of Supervisors meeting, reassuring us of dedicated representatives working for our community's interests,” stated Tuolumne County Supervisor Kathleen Haff.
The collaboration between Senator Alvarado-Gil and local stakeholders signifies a united front determined to hold PG&E accountable and demand improvements in infrastructure and preparedness; they aim to safeguard the welfare and prosperity of the residents in Senate District 4.
To learn more about Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil please visit: https://sd04.senate.ca.gov/.
Senator Alvarado-Gil represents the 4th Senate District including the Counties of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, Nevada, Placer, Stanislaus, and Tuolumne.
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Pictured: District Director Lauren Hernandez addressing PG&E officials at the Tuolumne Board of Supervisors meeting