CPUC evaluates PG&E liability for utility-caused fire victims
What happened
The California Public Utilities Commission is evaluating liability for victims of fires caused by utilities. Assembly Bill 2700, which was signed into law on September 30, provides guidelines for the CPUC to determine how Pacific Gas and Electric Company will pay a remaining shortfall to victims of utility-caused wildfires before 2019. A final payment of 1.25% for the Fire Victim Trust is scheduled for October 14, bringing the aggregate payment to 71.25%.
From orovillemr.com
Why it matters
The legislation directs the Commission to seek different options for restitution, which could require Pacific Gas and Electric Company to cover a significant portion of the remaining Fire Victim Trust shortfall. Mayor Steve Crowder noted that while the bill passed, there are still legal battles ahead, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company might challenge a CPUC ruling.
From orovillemr.com
Who's involved
- James GallagherAuthored Assembly Bill 2700, which guides the CPUC's liability evaluation.
- California Public Utilities CommissionIs evaluating liability and setting guidelines for utility-caused fire victim payments.
- Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyIs the utility company whose liability and payment obligations are under review by the CPUC.
Who could feel it
Possible knock-on effectsThese are possibilities Brind reasoned out, not predictions, and not advice. Most are not stated in any report.
- Pacific Gas and Electric CompanySpeculative
Pacific Gas and Electric Company could face mandated financial liability for utility-caused fire victims under new CPUC guidelines, affecting its costs.
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The entities involved
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James Gallagher
researcher (ORCID 0000-0002-0311-202X)
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California Public Utilities Commission
state government agency of California