Skyfire Helps Nation’s Largest Utility Company PG&E Obtain BVLOS Waiver for Use Across California

Skyfire Consulting (Skyfire) (skyfireconsulting.com), the most trusted and experienced public safety and critical infrastructure UAS consulting group, today announced it has successfully helped Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) obtain a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver under a Part 107 for the entire state of California. PG&E is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States, servicing approximately 16 million customers.

Skyfire, who previously assisted California wildfire authorities obtain a statewide authorization for flying UAS, found it a natural fit to assist PG&E who will use the BVLOS waiver to fly large sections of their critical infrastructure within high fire-threat districts across the entire state. With this latest work, Skyfire now helps on all aspects of environmental response— from prevention to wildfire response and even environmental cleanup and reforestation (DroneSeed).

“Skyfire’s work in the California wildfire community is incredibly important to us and the residents who live in those high-threat areas, so we were thrilled to get the opportunity to help PG&E prevent wildfires,” said Matt Sloane, CEO Skyfire. “Leveraging our years of experience in public safety and working with first responders, we’ve formed an entire portfolio assisting organizations focused on critical infrastructure.”

PG&E provides critical utility services to Californians across 70,000 square miles and increasing their use of UAS will greatly help its efficiency and ability to respond to incidents. Skyfire’s experience and ability to adapt to PG&E’S needs has made them a vital partner, as PG&E continues to leverage the latest technology to keep their infrastructure on-line and communities safe.

Skyfire will continue to work in collaboration with PG&E on other advanced FAA waivers and continue to help them develop their UAS response program.