PG&E Reaches Significant Milestone in Wildfire Safety with 1,500 Miles of Underground Power Lines

PG&E Reaches a Crucial Milestone in Wildfire Safety Initiative

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has proudly announced a significant achievement in its ongoing wildfire safety efforts. The utility company has successfully installed and energized 1,500 miles of underground power lines as part of its commitment to reduce wildfire risks across high fire-threat areas since the program's launch in 2021.

This innovative undergrounding initiative presents a remarkable 98% reduction in the risk of wildfire ignitions related to these power lines. Additionally, customers who receive service through these underground lines experience an approximate 90% decrease in power outages compared to traditional overhead lines.

Matt Pender, Vice President of Undergrounding and System Hardening at PG&E, emphasizes the importance of this milestone, stating, “Undergrounding is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect our customers and communities from wildfire risk. What matters most is what those miles deliver: safer communities, fewer outages, and more reliable electric service over decades.”

With California facing increasing wildfire threats, this milestone comes at a vital time as PG&E plans to broaden its undergrounding efforts. Recently, the company submitted a 10-year Electrical Undergrounding Plan (EUP) that proposes the undergrounding of an impressive 5,000 miles of power lines throughout over 30 counties in Northern and Central California. This plan aims for the same substantial benefits of wildfire risk mitigation and reduced outages for all customers served by these lines.

The long-term benefits of this initiative extend beyond just wildfire risk reduction. The underground power lines will also ensure continuity of service to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, police stations, and fire departments, minimizing the need for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and maintaining reliability during emergency situations.

However, despite these significant advancements, PG&E faces potential challenges. A recent California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Proposed Decision may limit the scope of the undergrounding program considerably. If implemented, this proposal could restrict the planned 5,000 miles down to only 1,100 miles, delaying vital progress toward enhancing the safety of communities most vulnerable to wildfires.

PG&E reaffirms its dedication to advocating for necessary changes that would allow for continued undergrounding. As of early November 2026, PG&E reports having completed 325 miles of undergrounding in the current year alone. Communities like Foresthill, Middletown, Apple Hill, Arnold, and Angwin are now benefitting from this crucial infrastructure.

The utility company operates as a subsidiary of PGE Corp., delivering gas and electric services to more than 16 million individuals across 70,000 square miles in California. With its customer base growing and the threat of wildfires ever-looming, initiatives like these demonstrate PG&E's commitment to community safety and reliability.

To learn more about PG&E and their future initiatives, visit pge.com or explore related updates at pge.com/news.