Beginning July 1, Hawaiian Electric will have a new tool to deal with high-risk areas during dangerous conditions: a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program.
Perhaps better known in areas like California that regularly deal with major wildfires, Hawaiian Electric’s version of the program will allow it to preemptively shut off power in areas deemed high risks from fires, often due to high winds and dry conditions. It’s meant as an option of last resort, and the company warned customers in such situations to prepare for the possibility of extended outages.
July will conclude months of work to update the company’s internal systems, protocols, and communication plans to prepare for extreme weather conditions that would warrant a shutoff.