Protesters Disrupt PG&E Exec's Speech at Tech Conference

Activists demand utility cancel contract with data firm Palantir over ICE ties

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:07pm

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A group of protesters disrupted a panel at the DTECH energy industry conference in San Diego on Tuesday, interrupting a presentation by a PG&E executive and prompting the speakers to flee the stage. The protesters, from the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Action, were calling on PG&E to cancel its contract with data firm Palantir over the company's work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Why it matters

The protest highlights growing tensions over the relationship between tech companies and government agencies, particularly around immigration enforcement. PG&E's partnership with Palantir has come under scrutiny from activists who argue it undermines the utility's commitments to equity and community safety.

The details

The protesters pushed to the front of the panel room, mounting the stage while chanting and holding signs that read "Utility companies!!! No contracts with Palantir Technologies. Palantir's $30 million ICE contract facilitates the cruel assault on people & our constitutional rights." After about half a minute, the panel moderator suggested the audience leave and the panelists, including PG&E VP Andrew Abranches, fled the stage.

  • The protest took place on Tuesday, February 4, 2026 at the DTECH conference in San Diego.
  • It came a day after a separate protest outside the conference calling for lower energy rates.

The players

Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment Action

An activist group that organized the protest against PG&E's contract with Palantir.

Andrew Abranches

The PG&E vice president of wildfire mitigation who was speaking on the panel that was disrupted.

Palantir Technologies

A data and AI firm that has faced criticism for its work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“Palantir technologies provide PG&E with capabilities to bring together and organize data for work across grid planning, operations, maintenance, asset management and risk mitigation. This data is critical to informing how we keep our customers and communities safe from wildfire.”

— Paul Doherty, PG&E Spokesperson (SFGATE)

“The partnership undermines PG&E's public commitments to equity, safety, and community.”

— Esme Rangel, ACCE Member (News Release)

What’s next

The protest comes as PG&E faces ongoing scrutiny over its wildfire prevention efforts and data partnerships. It remains to be seen if the utility will reconsider its contract with Palantir in response to the activists' demands.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the growing tensions between tech companies, their government contracts, and community activists who argue these partnerships undermine important social values. As utilities like PG&E increasingly rely on data and AI tools, the debate over their ethical implications will likely continue.