100 signatures reached
To: Governor Gavin Newsom and Commissioners of the California Public Utilities Commission
Fight for life safety of Californians with disabilities and seniors, retain Exec Dir Alice Stebbins
We support the rights of the disability community and vulnerable seniors to adequate life safety with continuous electrical power with emergency back-ups for medical and health devices. To secure these rights, we request the Governor and Commission do three things:
1. Reform Power Shutoff (Grid De-Energization) programs. Grid De-Energization threatens the health and life safety of vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities who depend on consistent electricity to operate medical and mobility equipment that keeps us alive and functioning. Approximately two years ago, the Commissioners voted 5-0 to allow PG&E and other electric utilities to de-energize their grids without any mitigation measures to protect the state's most vulnerable during those events.
2. Correct the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) . The CPUC/PGE SGIP residential battery program is riddled with problems and obstacles in helping people with disabilities obtain battery back-up systems. Of primary concern are up-front costs, uncertain reimbursements, lack eligibility for people with disabilities, many of whom have low-incomes.
3. Retain Executive Director Alice Stebbins. She and her staff are working consistently to resolve these issues. They are responsive our community. They recognize the health and safety threats power shut-offs and the lack of back-up systems create for the elderly and people with disabilities.
We, the following people listed, ask that Ms. Stebbins be recognized for her work to protect the most vulnerable populations of California. We demand that Ms. Stebbins continue in her position so she can complete her efforts to mitigate electric utility de-energization.
Changing management in the middle of a crisis - de-energization without mitigation - is irresponsible. It threatens health and life safety.
1. Reform Power Shutoff (Grid De-Energization) programs. Grid De-Energization threatens the health and life safety of vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities who depend on consistent electricity to operate medical and mobility equipment that keeps us alive and functioning. Approximately two years ago, the Commissioners voted 5-0 to allow PG&E and other electric utilities to de-energize their grids without any mitigation measures to protect the state's most vulnerable during those events.
2. Correct the Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) . The CPUC/PGE SGIP residential battery program is riddled with problems and obstacles in helping people with disabilities obtain battery back-up systems. Of primary concern are up-front costs, uncertain reimbursements, lack eligibility for people with disabilities, many of whom have low-incomes.
3. Retain Executive Director Alice Stebbins. She and her staff are working consistently to resolve these issues. They are responsive our community. They recognize the health and safety threats power shut-offs and the lack of back-up systems create for the elderly and people with disabilities.
We, the following people listed, ask that Ms. Stebbins be recognized for her work to protect the most vulnerable populations of California. We demand that Ms. Stebbins continue in her position so she can complete her efforts to mitigate electric utility de-energization.
Changing management in the middle of a crisis - de-energization without mitigation - is irresponsible. It threatens health and life safety.
Why is this important?
With frequent large wildfires, many caused by utilities, with huge mandatory evacuations of hundreds of thousands every year, with planned power shut-offs that deprive people with disabilities and seniors of necessary medical and safety equipment, the CPUC and utilities have created or allowed life-threatening conditions in small towns and rural areas all over California.
Mitigation programs like SGIP are inadequate and dangerous. Our communities have been able to work with Executive Director Alice Stebbins to make thee programs work better and to demand better services from the utilities.
Please tell the Governor and the CPUC to allow this vital work to continue and conclude successfully.
Thank you for your action.
HolLynn D’Lil
Richard Skaff
Walter Park
[List of signatories attached]
Mitigation programs like SGIP are inadequate and dangerous. Our communities have been able to work with Executive Director Alice Stebbins to make thee programs work better and to demand better services from the utilities.
Please tell the Governor and the CPUC to allow this vital work to continue and conclude successfully.
Thank you for your action.
HolLynn D’Lil
Richard Skaff
Walter Park
[List of signatories attached]
How it will be delivered
Preferably in person to CPUC staff in San Francisco. Covid-19 limits may prevent this, in which case, we will email a copy with signers' names.