A bill to help medically-vulnerable Californians whether some of the worst side effects of mandatory public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) has been passed by a state senate committee, officials said Friday.

Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Friday the Senate Committee on Energy, Utilities and Communications has passed Senate Bill 801 (SB 801).

This year alone there have been roughly 1,130 wildfires in the state of California since January, a 60 percent increase over the same period in 2019.

SB 801 is expected to require the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), in partnership with local disability rights groups, to develop a program that will provide those with an electrical need to sustain life with the power they rely on during future, deliberate power outages, according to Wilk.

This can take the form of generators, back-up battery packs or financial assistance to acquire these devices privately, according to officials.

“During these uncertain times the last thing anyone should have to worry about is keeping the medical devices they need to survive on and fully operational, which is why I coauthored SB 801,” Wilk said. “In an ideal scenario, the CPUC would assure that power lines are safe during high wind situations and eliminate the need to implement PSPS events. That is not currently the case. With SB 801 we have an opportunity to create peace of mind and avoid compounding crises for some of our most vulnerable populations.”

With last year’s fall season seeing high wind speeds and power shutoffs leaving whose in need without power, Wilk wants to make sure that this does not happen again in the year to come.

“During last fall’s fires, California was unprepared and left people without lifesaving power. That is unacceptable and dangerous,” Wilk said. “Partnering with community disability rights advocates to develop this program will provide those in need with the expertise, trust and relationships necessary to provide the level of service we expect.”

SB 801 is now on its way to the Senate floor for consideration by the full Senate.

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