PG&E Fresno Service Center Heliport

While the specific reason is not public, the closure was almost certainly due to an internal PG&E corporate decision. Common reasons for closing such private facilities include:
1. **Economic Factors:** The high operational and maintenance costs associated with running a private, certified heliport.
2. **Operational Consolidation:** A strategic shift to centralize aviation assets or to use third-party helicopter contractors who operate from larger, public airports.
3. **Proximity to Public Airports:** The heliport's location is less than 3 miles from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), which offers comprehensive services for helicopter operations, making a separate private facility redundant and less cost-effective.

The site is an active and operational PG&E Fresno Service Center, located at 4141 E Olive Ave, Fresno, CA. The area that formerly served as the helipad is now an unmarked concrete pad. It is currently used as a multi-purpose staging and storage area for utility vehicles, construction materials (like poles and cable spools), and other heavy equipment. There is no remaining infrastructure or signage indicating past or present aviation activity.

The PG&E Fresno Service Center Heliport was a private aviation facility used exclusively by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Its primary purpose was to support the construction, maintenance, and inspection of the vast electrical and gas infrastructure in California's Central Valley and the Sierra Nevada foothills. When active, it handled operations crucial for grid reliability, including:
- Aerial patrols to inspect high-voltage power lines and gas pipelines for damage or defects.
- Rapid deployment of repair crews and light equipment to remote or topographically challenging locations, especially after storms, floods, or wildfires.
- Logistical support for new construction projects in areas inaccessible by road.
The heliport was a vital asset for ensuring the stability and rapid repair of the region's energy supply.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening the heliport. The modern utility industry trend favors outsourcing specialized aviation services to contractors who operate from established public airports. Given this trend and the close proximity of Fresno Yosemite International Airport, it is highly improbable that PG&E will re-establish a private heliport at this service center.