PG&E’s Assurances and Public Skepticism
PG&E has been working to reassure the public that they’re on top of things. Dave Canny, PG&E’s Vice President for the North Coast Region, went on record Monday, stating, “We’ve been working with state and local officials actually for the last month or more to ensure that we can support free and fair elections.” PG&E claims that only two polling locations are within the “scope” of their planned PSPS events, which would be set to begin at 8 p.m. — after polls have closed.
However, as much as PG&E tries to quell fears, public skepticism remains. Social media lit up with users speculating about election interference and challenging the timing of these shutoffs. If the winds calm, PG&E might cancel the PSPS. But until then, it’s hard to shake the feeling that voters are walking a tightrope of uncertainty.
Balancing Safety with Access to Democracy
This situation speaks to a broader question: how do we balance safety with civic access? Public safety is paramount, but in a state like California where wildfires are a perennial threat, utility companies like PG&E have a heightened responsibility. For many, the planned outages on Election Day come too close for comfort, highlighting the complex relationship between utility companies, election integrity, and the people’s right to vote.
As I write this, only time will tell whether Election Day goes off without a hitch — or a blackout. Regardless, this moment reminds us of a significant tension within our democratic infrastructure: the need for resilience against both environmental and logistical challenges.
