Equipment decades old coupled with IT systems equally antiquated- this is a core problem for all utilities not just PG&E (I would know, I work for one). Unfortunately, I think we can expect more utility faults as well as severe weather that will continue to cause damage to people and homes. Utilities do not invest in IT unless they are incentivized to do so through rate recovery. This has plagued them to fall drastically behind in IT capability and hiring talent, as well as outsourced a majority of their operations (ie. Siemens, ABB, IBM, etc not only provide the solution but are hired to run the project management and strategy). It sucks companies so vital to reliable electricity see IT investment as a balance sheet stop sign but it will not change unless regulators force their hand...
