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Moreno Valley utility warns of PSPS risks, offers battery rebates and emergency bill help
Summary
Moreno Valley Utility and regional electric providers warned residents that public-safety power shutoffs (PSPS) can affect service during high-wind or fire conditions and described rebates for portable battery backups and emergency-bill assistance for affected customers.
Moreno Valley Utility briefed residents on electrical hazards during wildfire season and on programs to support medically dependent and wildfire-affected customers.
"PSPS events happen when the electric utility proactively deenergizes portions of its grid during extreme wildfire risk," Cameron Aldros, Moreno Valley assistant utility manager, told the forum. He explained the city’s distribution is underground but receives power over overhead transmission lines that can trigger PSPS during high winds or active fires.
Aldros urged caution around downed equipment and gave the public outage number used in the area for Southern California Edison: 1-800-611-1911. He warned that downed lines and damaged transformers can create unseen "step potential" hazards and advised residents to stay away and call the utility to report them.
The utility also described local resilience programs: a rebate of up to $500 for portable battery backup systems for qualifying medical-baseline customers, coordination for utility-connected solar and battery installations, and an emergency bill-assistance program for customers who meet criteria after wildfire evacuations or other qualifying emergencies.
Aldros urged residents to review materials from Cal Fire, the California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board and other official resources and to contact utilities to coordinate permits for backup generators to ensure worker safety.
