PG&E Report It

TLDR: I did not see any of the (many) problems reported in much earlier reviews. I was able to easily create a report, received quick updates on the status of the issue, and crew came same day to address the issue. Highly recommend this app for reporting problems. I noticed a broken branch leaning on a service drop after a recent storm. I was able to easily report the problem, including location and photos. I did need to provide an email address, but did not need to wait for approval of the address or create an account. It allows you to use your camera to take photos while creating the report, or use saved photos from your photo library. Tip: if you're taking photos to make a report later, take a photo of the ID tags on the nearest utility pole; they want that photo in the report. After submitting a report, I received an email acknowledging receipt of the report, and then another once it had been assigned. A crew arrived later the same day to fix the problem. Great experience all around. I noticed that the developer is issuing regular updates to the app, so not only have they addressed many of the issues people complained about earlier, they are actively maintaining it. So, if you have a non-emergency PG&E issue to report, I highly recommend using this app. Also write a positive review (or at least a rating). There are lots of negative reviews, but most of them are old.

You have to register to report anything, and it can take 24hrs for your registration to be approved. So, if you see a hazard when you’re out and about, you can’t effectively report it if your registration isn’t complete. Doesn’t look like there’s any option to report as a guest. You’ll be better off calling their emergency number.

Unbelievably, PG&E’s “Report it” app requires you to first register your email address with them, then wait *SEVEN DAYS* while they process your registration BEFORE you can report a problem. Other than PG&E employees, first responders and other specialists, what % of the general public downloading the app will be doing so specifically to report an immediate problem? (and discovering the app won’t let them report it!) And what % of those people will never face a reportable problem with PG&E equipment other than that one time when they downloaded the app? This is clearly designed to help PG&E try to improve their horrible public image by saying “look at all the ways we’re offering the public to report problems”, while designing the app to make it impossible for a very high percentage of the public to report anything the one time they need to.