PSPS preparation: specifically for Marin.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs hit Marin every fall (typically October-November). Multi-day outages are realistic. Practical preparation reduces disruption.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Marin PSPS reality: 24-72 hour outages common during fire-risk weather (October-November typically). Preparation tiers: minimum — flashlights, battery packs for phones, food management (cooler with ice for fridge contents), portable generator for select loads. Better — manual transfer switch + portable generator for essential circuits. Best — standby generator with ATS for whole-home or essential loads. Many Marin homeowners progress through tiers based on outage frequency experienced and home electrification level.
01What PSPS actually is.
PG&E PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoffs) are preventive grid de-energizations during high fire-risk weather. PG&E monitors weather, vegetation, wind, and humidity; when conditions exceed thresholds for specific service areas, they shut off power to those areas to prevent grid-caused wildfire ignition. Typical conditions: high winds (40+ mph gusts), low humidity (under 20%), dry vegetation, often paired with red flag fire weather warnings.
PSPS duration: variable from 12 hours to 72+ hours depending on weather window. PG&E provides advance notification (typically 24-48 hours before initiating) via email, SMS, and reverse-911. Restoration timing depends on weather (must improve before re-energization) and grid inspection (PG&E inspects de-energized lines for damage before restoring power). Marin areas affected vary event by event; mountainous and West Marin areas hit most frequently.
02Preparation tiers.
Tier 1 — Basic preparedness
Flashlights with fresh batteries, portable battery packs for phones (10,000+ mAh), bottled water (1 gallon per person per day, 3-day supply), non-perishable food for 3 days, manual can opener, basic first aid. Refrigerator/freezer management: keep doors closed during outage; freezer keeps food safe ~48 hours if full and unopened, fridge ~4 hours. Coolers with ice extend refrigeration. Cost: $50-$200 if not already prepared.
Tier 2 — Portable generator + manual transfer switch
Portable generator (5,000-7,500W) plus manual transfer switch installed at panel routes essential circuits (refrigerator, lighting, networking, garage door, gas furnace blower). Total cost $1,200-$3,000 one-time. Operational cost: gasoline + attention during operation. Best for occasional outages and homeowners home during PSPS events.
Tier 3 — Standby generator with ATS
Permanent standby generator with automatic transfer switch handles outages without homeowner intervention. Cost $13,000-$28,000 install. No operational attention required; runs on natural gas (unlimited runtime) or propane (tank-limited). Best for frequent outages, homeowners sometimes away during events, premium reliability requirements.
03Other preparedness considerations.
Beyond power: communication preparation matters in extended outages. Cell towers in Marin sometimes lose power during PSPS (towers have battery backup, typically 4-12 hours, sometimes longer with generator backup; service degrades but rarely fails entirely). Pre-download offline maps, store emergency contact numbers in phone, know neighbor contacts. Some Marin areas have HAM radio nets active during emergencies — worth knowing.
Water during outages: most Marin water systems pump from wells or storage tanks. Tank-based systems continue working for hours-days; well-based systems (some West Marin homes) lose water when power lost. If you have a well pump, generator power for the well is critical preparation. Talk to electrician during planning — well pumps often need dedicated circuit on essential loads or whole-house generator coverage. Towery Electric handles well pump integration with generator backup as standard scope.
Common questions.
How likely is a PSPS at my Marin address?
Depends on location and vegetation. PG&E maintains PSPS risk maps showing historical event frequency by area. West Marin and elevated/wooded areas experience PSPS more frequently than urban Marin (downtown San Rafael, Novato flatlands). Most populated Marin has experienced at least one PSPS event in recent years. Sign up for PG&E PSPS alerts via your PG&E account to get advance notification specific to your address.
Is generator backup worth it for occasional outages?
Depends on your tolerance and home setup. For 1-2 PSPS events per year of 24-48 hours each: manual transfer switch + portable generator ($1,200-$3,000) is reasonable insurance. For 3+ events per year or longer durations: standby generator ($13,000-$25,000) starts making more sense. Marin homeowners with critical needs (work from home, medical devices, electric heat, well pumps) typically prioritize backup more than those without.
Can I add backup power before next PSPS season?
Yes — most Marin standby generator installations take 8-14 weeks from contract to operational (permit, equipment delivery, install, gas line if applicable, PG&E coordination, inspection). To be ready for October-November PSPS season, start in May-July. Manual transfer switch + portable generator faster — 3-5 weeks from contract to operational. Last-minute pre-PSPS scheduling is harder due to demand surge.
What about solar+battery instead of generator?
Solar+battery (Tesla Powerwall, Enphase, Generac PWRcell) is increasingly popular Marin choice. Pros: silent, no fuel, automatic operation. Cons: limited runtime (typically 1-3 days depending on battery capacity and load), recharges only from solar (which is limited during cloudy/smoky days during fire weather). Many Marin homes combine solar+battery for short outages with portable or standby generator for extended events. Premium solution; total cost $25,000-$50,000+.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Schedule a consult before storm season.
Best window for prep work: October before Marin's atmospheric-river season starts. Beat the rush, lock pricing.