Pacific Gas & Electric Co. News

Northern California Agencies Sue PG&E Over 2019 Wildfire

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Sonoma County and several Northern California agencies sued Pacific Gas & Electric Co. on Tuesday over damage caused by a wildfire that burned a large swath of land last year and caused nearly 100,000 people to …

Calmer California Winds Help Firefighters Beat Back 2 Blazes

LOS ANGELES — Calmer weather on Wednesday allowed firefighters to beat back twin blazes that drove nearly 100,000 Southern California residents from their homes amid fierce winds and extremely dry conditions. Authorities lifted some evacuation orders Tuesday as winds began …

California’s Gov. Newsom Had ‘Baptism by Fire’ in 1st Year

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — During his inaugural address last January, California Gov. Gavin Newsom made only a passing reference to wildfires and never mentioned the state’s largest utility, Pacific Gas & Electric. Both soon became inescapable topics. PG&E filed for bankruptcy …

Doing Business in California Costs One Blackout a Week

It was only expected to happen a couple times a year — and just as a last resort. That’s what utility giant PG&E Corp. originally said 13 months ago when it outlined plans to stage mass blackouts in Northern California …

PG&E Warns of Power Shutoffs as California Becomes Tinderbox

Bankrupt utility owner PG&E Corp. issued an unprecedented warning that it may cut power in almost 30 California counties to avoid wildfires as hot, arid winds leave the region dry as a tinderbox. The move may affect more than 600,000 …

Fire Threat Brings Power Cuts to Thousands in California

SAN FRANCISCO — Tens of thousands of Northern Californians will find themselves without electricity Wednesday as Pacific Gas & Electric cuts power to reduce the threat of hot, dry, gusty weather knocking down power lines and sparking wildfires. The utility …

PG&E Tumbles on Risk of Up to $18 Billion in Fire-Lawsuit Costs

PG&E Corp. shares plunged Monday after a judge ruled that a jury can determine whether it should pay as much as $18 billion in damages to wildfire victims. The California utility giant fell as much 28%, to $10.22, at 9:35 …

Moody’s Says Wildfire Catastrophe Losses the New Normal in Calif.

California had long been a good bet for homeowners’ insurers, with most carriers having no problem recouping paid losses through premiums. But in 2017 and 2018, the state experienced six of the 10 most destructive wildfires in its history and …

California Cities Ask Newsom to Remove Hurdles for PG&E Assets

A new California law, a win for Governor Gavin Newsom, is intended to help utilities cover wildfire liabilities. But it’s also impeding the efforts of cities such as San Francisco that are seeking power independence. Now, they’re pressing Newsom to …

California Regulator Considers Penalty Against PG&E for 2017 Wildfires

California utilities regulator has opened a case to evaluate and consider penalties against power and gas utility PG&E Corp for its involvement in the fierce wildfires that killed 46 people in Northern California’s wine country in 2017. The proceeding will …