PG&E Urges Customers to Keep Fathers and Families Safe When Flying New Father’s Day Drones

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As recreational drones become increasingly popular Father’s Day gifts
across California, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is launching
a new Father’s Day drone safety effort to urge its customers to keep
safety in mind when they fly any drone near or around electric power
lines and transmission towers.

As the popularity of gifting drones grows every year, so does the safety
risk posed by recreational drones when they hit power lines.
Recreational drones that contact overhead power lines can disrupt
electric service to an entire neighborhood, cause significant property
damage and potentially result in serious injuries if they lead to downed
power lines. Just last week, about 1,600 PG&E customers in the Mountain
View area were without power for nearly two hours due to a drone that
collided with a power line. The possible safety risks to families and
the community posed by drones grows during the holidays, and popular
gift-giving days, like Father’s Day.

“Flying a drone has become a popular hobby for fathers and families, but
safety can’t be ignored. While we want our customers and their families
to have fun, we want to provide some basic safety rules to ensure that a
fun hobby doesn’t become a hazard that endangers them, their loved ones
or the community,” said Pat Hogan, senior vice president, PG&E Electric
Operations.

Those safety tips include:

• Drone owners should practice flying away from people, vehicles, houses
  and trees.
• Never fly a drone near power lines, power poles and other electric
  equipment.
• Keep your drone in sight to make sure you’re aware of any potential
  hazards.
• Don’t fly in bad weather conditions, such as high winds, fog or rain.
• Stay clear of any aircraft, such as low-flying airplanes and
  helicopters.
• Learn how to fly your drone via an online course or by becoming a
  certified drone pilot.
• Do not attempt to retrieve a drone that becomes entangled in power
  lines or a transmission tower.
• If your drone hits PG&E electric equipment, causing power lines to
  fall or equipment to spark, call 911 and then PG&E at 1-800-743-5000.

This Father’s Day, shoppers are expected to spend $1.8
billion on consumer electronics, and drones are anticipated to be
one of the most popular Father’s Day gifts. As the use of drones by many
novice users grows in urban areas, as well as areas near power lines or
transmission towers, so does the need to promote greater public
awareness of what to do and not do when flying a drone.

Drones, also known as an Unmanned Aircraft System, or UAS, are quickly
becoming an essential tool for industry, including energy companies such
as PG&E. In July, PG&E announced
that it has received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration
to begin testing drones to inspect its electric, gas and hydropower
facilities. The company sees the tool as a way to improve safety and
affordability. PG&E’s drone operators or contractors are fully licensed
and practice good safety behaviors.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San
Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of
the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com
and pge.com/news.

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Contacts

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Megan McFarland, 415-973-5930