Mostly no. California is actively working on improving the reliability of its grid due to recent challenges with shutdowns and its clean energy goals.
PG&E in Marin County has implemented measures like vegetation management and sectionalizing devices to reduce potential outages. While power outages cannot be eliminated entirely, these actions help mitigate their impact.
It's worth noting that natural disasters and emergencies can also affect the gas system, leading to shutdowns. A restoration study completed for the City of San Francisco in 2020 found that the electrical grid typically takes days to weeks while restoring the natural gas infrastructure can take up to six months due to testing and for crews to restore service to each individual connection.
MCE, a local utility, supports building electrification and has launched an Energy Storage Program to deploy customer-sited battery storage systems. These systems provide backup power during outages, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs, and prioritize vulnerable customers. The program utilizes incentives from CPUC's Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) and funding from MCE's Resiliency Fund. Battery and solar backup systems, like microgrids, offer energy reliability and financial benefits.