PG&E Achieves 1,500-Mile Milestone in Major Wildfire Safety Undergrounding Effort

A proposed regulatory decision could reduce eligible undergrounding in PG&E’s plan from 5,000 miles to approximately 1,100 miles.

Rhea-AI Summary

PG&E (PCG) has installed and energized 1,500 miles of underground power lines in high fire-threat districts since launching its program in 2021. The company reports approximately 98% lower wildfire ignition risk on those lines and approximately 90% fewer outages for customers served by underground lines. It has completed 325 miles of undergrounding in 2026.

PG&E recently filed a 10-year plan proposing 5,000 miles of underground power lines across more than 30 Northern and Central California counties. The company says a California Public Utilities Commission proposed decision, if adopted, would reduce eligible undergrounding in its plan to approximately 1,100 miles.

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Positive

• Moderate pointUnderground lines installed and energized total 1,500 miles in high fire-threat districts since 2021.
• Moderate pointPG&E reports approximately 98% lower wildfire ignition risk on the 1,500 undergrounded miles.
• Moderate pointCustomers served by underground lines experience approximately 90% fewer outages.
• Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.PG&E proposes 5,000 miles of undergrounding over 10 years across more than 30 counties.
• Minor pointUndergrounding completed in 2026 totals 325 miles.

Negative

• Moderate point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Proposed CPUC decision, if adopted, would cut eligible undergrounding from 5,000 miles to approximately 1,100 miles, PG&E says.

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Delivering Permanent Wildfire Risk Reduction and Greater Reliability for Customers

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced it has reached a major wildfire safety milestone, installing and energizing 1,500 miles of underground power lines in high fire-threat districts since launching its undergrounding program in 2021.

Wildfire ignition risk on the 1,500 miles of undergrounded lines is permanently reduced by approximately 98%. Customers served by underground lines also experience approximately 90% fewer outages.

"Undergrounding is one of the most powerful tools we have to protect our customers and communities from wildfire risk. Reaching 1,500 miles is an important milestone, but what matters most is what those miles deliver: safer communities, fewer outages, and more reliable electric service over decades for the customers we're privileged to serve. We're proud of this progress and remain focused on doing this work where it can deliver the greatest safety and reliability benefits," said Matt Pender, PG&E Undergrounding and System Hardening Vice President.

The milestone comes at a critical juncture for the future of undergrounding power lines to reduce wildfire risk and improve reliability in California.

To support ongoing efforts to mitigate wildfire risk, PG&E recently filed a 10-year Electrical Undergrounding Plan (EUP) proposing to significantly reduce wildfire risk and improve reliability by undergrounding 5,000 miles of powerlines across more than 30 counties in Northern and Central California. The plan would permanently reduce wildfire risk by 98% and reduce approximately 90% of outages for customers served by those lines. It would also help prevent disruptions to hospitals, fire stations, police stations and other essential community services while reducing the need for Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and outages associated with Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS).

The recent California Public Utilities Commission's (CPUC) Proposed Decision (SPD-37 Joint IOU Application proceeding) could severely restrict undergrounding across California. If adopted, the Proposed Decision would reduce eligible undergrounding in PG&E's plan from 5,000 miles to approximately 1,100 miles, hindering progress on permanent wildfire risk reduction for areas with the highest wildfire vulnerability.

PG&E remains committed to advocating for permanent risk reduction in the highest wildfire-risk areas as part of its commitment to make the system safer and more reliable.

2026 Undergrounding Progress

As of this week, PG&E has completed 325 miles of undergrounding in 2026. In recent weeks, Foresthill (Placer County), Middletown (Lake County), Apple Hill (El Dorado County), Arnold (Calaveras County), and Angwin (Napa County) are among the numerous communities now being served by underground power lines.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Co., a subsidiary of PG&E Corp. (NYSE: PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

 

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

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How much undergrounding has PG&E completed since launching its program?

PG&E has installed and energized 1,500 miles of underground power lines in high fire-threat districts since launching the program in 2021. Its completed undergrounding in 2026 totals 325 miles.

How could the CPUC proposed decision affect PG&E’s undergrounding plan?

PG&E says the proposed decision, if adopted, would reduce eligible undergrounding in its plan from 5,000 miles to approximately 1,100 miles. The company’s recently filed Electrical Undergrounding Plan proposes work over 10 years across more than 30 counties in Northern and Central California.