PG&E power line sensor upgrades are too sensitive

Pacific Gas & Electric has upgraded sensors that can tell it more quickly if a power line has been compromised or might spark a fire.

But some of that technology has resulted in unnecessary localized shutoffs.

In recent weeks, the technology caused at least five outages in the foothills mountains between Fresno and Lake Tahoe. There have also been such outages in west Sonoma and Marin as well as Half Moon Bay and Santa Cruz.