PG&E Auburn Service Center Heliport

The closure was likely due to operational consolidation and economic efficiency. PG&E has increasingly staged its helicopter operations at nearby full-service public airports, such as Auburn Municipal Airport (KAUN). Using established airports offers significant advantages, including access to fuel services (Jet A), advanced maintenance facilities, and better logistical coordination with other agencies like CAL FIRE, especially during large-scale emergency events like wildfires. This shift away from small, private heliports streamlines operations and is more cost-effective.

The site of the former heliport is now fully integrated into the equipment and vehicle storage yard of the still-active PG&E Auburn Service Center. While the painted 'H' and circle of the helipad are still faintly visible on the asphalt, the area is now used for parking utility trucks and storing materials. The facility continues to serve as a ground-based operational hub for PG&E, but it no longer has an active aviation component.

The PG&E Auburn Service Center Heliport was a private-use facility that served as a critical logistical hub for Pacific Gas and Electric Company's operations in the Sierra Nevada foothills. Its primary purpose was to support the maintenance and inspection of the vast electrical grid in rugged, often inaccessible terrain. Active operations included:
- Aerial patrol and inspection of high-voltage transmission and distribution lines.
- Transporting maintenance crews and specialized equipment to remote work sites.
- Providing rapid-response aerial support during emergencies such as storms, floods, and wildfires to assess damage and assist in power restoration efforts.
- Supporting construction projects for new power infrastructure.
Its location directly at the service center allowed for the seamless integration of air and ground crews.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. Given PG&E's current, more efficient operational model of utilizing regional public airports, a return to operating a private heliport at this location is highly unlikely. The logistical and financial benefits of using shared, full-service airport infrastructure far outweigh the advantages of maintaining a private-use facility.