This Valentine's Day, Keep the Love Flowing -- Not the Outages, says PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric (NYSE: PCG) warns customers that metallic (foil) balloons can cause power outages, equipment damage and public safety hazards if released outdoors.

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric (NYSE: PCG) warns customers that metallic (foil) balloons can cause power outages, equipment damage and public safety hazards if released outdoors. The company says nearly 350 outages in 2025 from metallic balloons affected 165,000 customers across Northern and Central California.

PG&E urges Californians to secure balloons with weights, never release them, puncture and discard used balloons, and call 1-800-743-5000 to report balloon-related issues or 911 for downed lines.

Argus Feb 9 session

-0.30% close to close Open Argus

Details

News Market Reaction – PCG

On Feb 9, the day this news came out, PCG closed 0.30% below the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Feb 9 session.

Market Context

This announcement highlights PG&E’s efforts to reduce metallic balloon-related outages, noting nearl...

Analysis

This announcement highlights PG&E’s efforts to reduce metallic balloon-related outages, noting nearly 350 incidents and 165,000 affected customers in 2025. It fits alongside recent communications on reliability, wildfire risk, and community support. Investors watching PG&E may focus on how such safety campaigns interact with outage statistics and regulatory scrutiny over time. Key metrics to monitor include future outage counts, customer impact figures, and any subsequent operational or regulatory updates tied to system reliability.

Key Figures

Balloon-caused outages 2025: nearly 350 outages Customers affected 2025: 165,000 customers PG&E emergency phone: 1-800-743-5000

Balloon-caused outages 2025

nearly 350 outages

Metallic balloons across PG&E’s Northern and Central California service area in 2025

Customers affected 2025

165,000 customers

Customers who lost power from metallic balloon outages in 2025

PG&E emergency phone

1-800-743-5000

Reported number to call PG&E about objects in lines or substations

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 05

5 events

1. Feb 05

   Home electrification program

   24h Move

   +0.3%

   SPAN Edge collaboration to lower upgrade costs and support widespread home electrification.

2. Feb 03

   Scholarship awards

   24h Move

   +1.7%

   PG&E and foundation funding $7,000 scholarships for 25 Oakland high school seniors.

3. Feb 02

   Super Bowl reliability prep

   24h Move

   +1.7%

   Operational readiness measures to ensure safe, reliable energy during Super Bowl LX events.

4. Jan 29

   Wildfire tech sponsorship

   24h Move

   +1.5%

   Co-title sponsorship and >$1M support for XPRIZE Wildfire autonomous response competition.

5. Jan 27

   Customer bill relief

   24h Move

   -0.1%

   Commitment of $50 million to overdue bill relief and expanded assistance programs.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

substation, electrocution

2 terms

substation technical

"Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon — or any foreign object — tangled in power lines or inside a substation."

A substation is a fenced facility on the electricity network where equipment changes the voltage, routes power, and protects the grid so electricity can move safely and reliably from generation to homes and businesses. Investors care because substations are critical pieces of infrastructure: they affect service reliability, grid capacity and upgrade costs, and can influence the value and operating risk of utilities, real estate near outages, and companies in the energy supply chain.

electrocution medical

"Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon — or any foreign object — tangled in power lines or inside a substation. There can be risk of electrocution."

Electrocution is injury or death caused by electric shock when a person comes into contact with a live electrical source. For investors, electrocution incidents matter because they can lead to legal liability, regulatory fines, higher insurance costs, operational shutdowns and damage to reputation—similar to a factory fire that halts production and triggers costly consequences. Tracking such risks helps assess a company’s safety practices and potential financial exposure.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Festive Gifts Belong at Home, Not Wrapped Around Power Lines

OAKLAND, Calif., Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentine's Day brings flowers, candy and declarations of endless love — but it's also when Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) tends to see an uptick in power outages caused by metallic balloons. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, PG&E reminds its customers that if they are celebrating with metallic balloons, make sure they are always tied to a weight – as required by California law – and to never release them outdoors.

Metallic balloons are highly conductive and can cause instant outages, damage electrical equipment and create dangerous conditions for the public and first responders. Unlike latex balloons, metallic balloons can stay inflated and airborne for weeks, increasing the risk they'll collide with overhead power lines days — or even weeks — after a celebration ends.

In 2025, metallic balloons caused nearly 350 outages across PG&E's service area in Northern and Central California, knocking out power to 165,000 customers and disrupting service to homes, businesses and essential community facilities such as traffic signals, schools and hospitals. These outages are preventable.

"One rogue metallic balloon can darken an entire neighborhood in seconds. While some might say a Valentine's Day power outage adds extra romance to the evening, most find it frustrating and inconvenient. This holiday, customers can help keep the lights on by securing metallic balloons with a weight and never releasing them outdoors," said Ron Richardson, PG&E Vice President of Electric Distribution Operations.

California law requires metallic balloons to be secured with a weight, but PG&E says simple precautions make a big difference — especially during Valentine's Day celebrations when balloon use is at its peak.

Here's an example of what can happen when metallic balloons hit utility power lines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqFm52C1n5Q

In order to significantly reduce the number of balloon-caused outages and to help ensure that everyone can safely enjoy their Valentine's Day, PG&E reminds customers to follow these important safety tips for metallic balloons:

• "Look Up and Live!" – Use caution and avoid celebrating with metallic balloons near overhead electric lines.
• Make sure helium-filled metallic balloons are securely tied to a weight that is heavy enough to prevent them from floating away. Never remove the weight.
• When done with balloons, do not release them. Puncture them several times or cut the knot and throw them in the garbage to prevent them from floating away.
• Do not attempt to retrieve a balloon — or any foreign object — tangled in power lines or inside a substation. There can be risk of electrocution. Instead, leave it alone and call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000 to report the problem.
• Never go near a power line that has fallen to the ground or is dangling in the air. Always assume downed electric lines are energized and extremely dangerous. Stay away, keep others away and immediately call 911 to alert the police and fire departments.

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (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.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/this-valentines-day-keep-the-love-flowing--not-the-outages-says-pge-302682809.html

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

How many outages did PG&E (PCG) attribute to metallic balloons in 2025?

PG&E reports metallic balloons caused nearly 350 outages in 2025. According to PG&E, those outages disrupted service for about 165,000 customers and affected homes, businesses and critical facilities across Northern and Central California.

What safety steps does PG&E (PCG) recommend for metallic balloons on Valentine's Day?

Secure helium-filled metallic balloons to a weight and never release them outdoors. According to PG&E, puncture used balloons or cut the knot before disposing to prevent them from floating away and striking power lines later.

What should I do if a metallic balloon touches power lines near my home (PCG)?

Do not attempt to retrieve the balloon or touch power lines; keep clear and call PG&E at 1-800-743-5000. According to PG&E, contacting professionals prevents electrocution and further equipment damage while crews address the hazard safely.

Why are metallic balloons more dangerous than latex balloons, according to PG&E (PCG)?

Metallic balloons are highly conductive and can stay airborne for weeks, increasing collision risk with lines. According to PG&E, that conductivity can cause instant outages and damage electrical equipment even days after a celebration.

Who should I call for emergencies like downed power lines in PG&E's service area (PCG)?

For downed or dangling power lines, call 911 immediately and keep others away. According to PG&E, report non-emergency balloon-related problems to 1-800-743-5000 so utility crews can respond without endangering the public.