Customers of California's largest utility won't face charges while their power is out, the company said Wednesday.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company spokeswoman Brandi Merlo told KXTV that customers will not be charged while the power is out.
"There's no usage so they won't be charged on their bills," Merlo said.
Customers who are affected by the power outage can file claims that will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, she added.
"For food or anything like that...we have been notifying customers for a few days now (that) when we do these shutoffs for safety we typically do not reimburse customers for claims," Merlo continued.
"But certainly, they're welcome to submit a claim form and all those claims will be reviewed on a case by case basis."
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About two million people in northern California could be without power for days as the utility works to prevent wildfires while the forecast calls for hot and dry conditions.
The first phase of shutoffs affected about 513,000 customers. That began just after midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 8. A second group of about 234,000 customers was set to lose power starting at noon on Oct. 9, but was delayed.
The move will hopefully reduce the possibility of winds knocking down or toppling trees into power lines during a siege of dry, gusty weather.
It could take up to five days to restore power to customers after the danger has passed, PG&E said.
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