A massive power outage struck San Francisco on December 20, 2025, leaving around 130,000 homes and businesses in darkness, largely due to a fire at a Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) substation, coinciding with the crucial holiday shopping season.
As residents grappled with the blackout, frustration mounted towards PG&E, with city officials, including Mayor Daniel Lurie, criticizing the utility for its handling of the crisis and its impact on vulnerable communities.
The outage not only disrupted daily life but also paralyzed Waymo's fleet of self-driving taxis, which stalled at unlit intersections, contributing to severe traffic congestion and chaos throughout the city.
In light of the disruption, PG&E announced automatic bill credits to affected customers, offering $200 to residential users and $2,500 to businesses as compensation for the inconvenience caused.
The incident raised significant questions about the reliability of autonomous vehicle technology in real-world scenarios, prompting regulatory scrutiny into Waymo’s operations during the crisis.
Local businesses faced challenges as closures and potential food spoilage added economic strain, highlighting the far-reaching consequences of the outage on the city's bustling commercial activity.