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PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF (PSPS) Banner Image

PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFF (PSPS)

WHAT ARE PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFFS?

During specific, critical conditions of significant wildfire risk, Oncor may proactively de-energize certain power lines to reduce the risk that our equipment ignites or exacerbates a wildfire. These are known as Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), and they are used by many electric utilities as a tool of last-resort to help keep customers safe from wildfire conditions.

 

A PSPS would temporarily interrupt electric service for customers who are served by infrastructure being de-energized. Oncor takes the decision to issue a PSPS very seriously. We will only initiate a PSPS after thoroughly assessing numerous risk factors including weather conditions, ground-fuel conditions, potential wildfire impacts, real-time observations, and our nearby infrastructure.

 

Typical PSPS Timeline

RESTORING POWER AFTER A PSPS

Before service can be fully restored after a PSPS, crews must thoroughly inspect every power line and piece of equipment in affected areas to ensure they are free of damage or debris. This step is critical to protect public and crew safety before re-energizing each section of the system. These inspections can be time-intensive as crews must safely and thoroughly inspect all equipment in-person, likely during nighttime conditions with limited visibility. Because we are committed to our community’s safety, the process takes time as crews carefully and deliberately inspect all lines before re-energizing them. We recognize this wait time is challenging and frustrating for our impacted communities, and we sincerely appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding as crews work to carefully restore power as safely and efficiently as possible.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is when Oncor proactively de-energizes certain power lines as a last-resort measure to protect lives, property, communities and first responders from potential wildfires during extreme wildfire risk conditions.

Oncor will only issue a PSPS after conducting a thorough assessment of numerous risk factors, including weather conditions, ground-fuel conditions, potential wildfire impacts, real-time observations, and our nearby infrastructure.

Oncor analyzes data from our wildfire risk models, vegetation conditions, and weather forecasts to identify specific circuits where fire danger is highest. Impacted areas and areas under PSPS consideration may change as risk conditions evolve, and Oncor will communicate these changes to customers. Oncor also coordinates with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) when determining where a PSPS may be necessary to mitigate wildfire risk.

Oncor will end PSPS events once extreme wildfire conditions subside. However, it is important to note that the end of a PSPS event marks the very beginning of the restoration process. Oncor personnel must visually inspect power lines and equipment and confirm it is safe to manually restoring power before doing so. While these precautions make the restoration process longer, it is the best way for Oncor to continue mitigating wildfire risk and protecting our customers and employees. We are committed to restoring power following PSPS events as quickly and safely as possible.

Oncor will aim to provide advance notice to customers located in areas where a PSPS is being considered. We will strive to notify customers via MyOncor Alerts approximately 48 and 24 hours in advance, in addition to sending impacted customers a notification as the PSPS is implemented. Oncor will continue to provide updates throughout the PSPS event until all impacted customers have been restored. Additionally, Oncor will share updates about PSPS events at oncor.com/psps and at our online newsroom, The Wire. 

Customers with questions about PSPS can contact Oncor 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday by emailing contactcenter@oncor.com or calling 888-313-6862. You can also chat with Oncor’s digital assistant 24/7 by clicking on the text bubble icon on the bottom-right corner of your screen. Members of the news media should call our 24/7 media hotline at 877-426-1616.