Utilities Department Media Page

We welcome input from the media about what kinds of information, links etc. would be most useful on this page. 
To offer feedback or ask questions on any utilities-related issue, please contact Debra Katz. 

Debra Katz, Utilities Communication Manager
office: (650) 329-2474
cell:    (650) 810-3673 (for after hours or highly urgent situations)
(Can't reach me? Try my colleague Christen Creed: (650) 329-2479)
email: debra.katz@cityofpaloalto.org

Press Releases

Media Alerts

May 13, 2013             PG&E Starting Work (Alma & Oregon) to Get "PIGs" into Pipes

May 3, 2013              Girl Scout Architects Build Their Own Model EcoHomes!

May 3, 2013              Northbound Foothill Expressway Closed This Weekend--PG&E Project

April 29, 2013           Great Race for Saving Water Made a Big Splash

April 23, 2013:          Stop the Running Toilet!  Overflowing Fun at Great Race for Saving Water this Saturday

March 22, 2013:        Palo Altan Replaces 85 Year Old Toilet and Saves over 43,000 Gallons Per Year

February 26, 2013:   Palo Alto's First Solar System Owner Renews Commitment

October 30, 2012:    Power-Sucking Vampires Descend on City Hall Tomorrow

October 24, 2012:    PG&E Gas Venting Today and Night Work This Week

October 12, 2012:    Palo Alto Scores with Affirmed Triple A Utility Bond Ratings

• Supplementary Report--Utility Bond Ratings--Sewer & Storm Drain
• Supplementary Report--Utility Bond Ratings--Combined Utilities

October 1, 2012:  Invitation to Presentation for the Mayor's Green Business Leader Awards

September 25, 2012: New LED Streetlights Around Town

September 25, 2012:  Would You Believe Another PG&E Project Schedule Change?

September 21, 2012:   Latest Updates to PG&E Pipeline Project

August 27, 2012: HP receives a large rebate check for efficiency upgrades to a data center

August 21, 2012:  SIGNIFICANT OUTAGE: A tripped electric feeder line switch caused about 1,600 customers to lose power most of the day (along the 2700-3100 blocks of Middlefield Road).  The restoration took awhile because the problem lay in an underground line that had to be pulled up and replaced. 

August 14, 2012: Traffic impacts to the Charleston area due to a PG&E transmission gas line project.
                             Photo of signage (mentioned in media alert)

June 25, 2012:  OUTAGE: Mylar Balloon hit overhead wires causing about 1,435 customers to lose power for an hour (near El Camino and Los Robles).

June 6, 2012:  Wanted: Public Input on whether City Should Make 100% Green Power Purchases

May 7, 2012:  The City of Palo Alto Utilities' Department wins a 2012 Public Power Wind Award

May 7, 2012:  Palo Altans make the Top 10 in national 2012 Mayor's Water Reduction Challenge

Helpful Links

Outage Updates:  www.cityofpaloalto.org/outageinfo

Rates--background on value, supply and reasons for rate changes (electric, water, gas, sewer):  www.cityofpaloalto.org/ratesoverview

Utilities Projects Summary--(electric, gas, water & sewer---includes link to PG&E Pipeline Work in Palo Alto):  www.cityofpaloalto.org/utilityprojects

Upcoming Workshops and Events:  www.cityofpaloalto.org/workshops