From NBC Bay Area · · 1m 10s
Ratepayers pay $1.7 billion for PG&E fires
Regulatory judge orders ratepayers to cover $1.7 billion in unpaid wildfire costs for Kincade and Dixie fires.
In brief
Regulatory judge orders ratepayers to cover $1.7 billion in unpaid wildfire costs for Kincade and Dixie fires. Ratepayers must pay $1.7 billion for PG&E's Kincade and Dixie fires after regulatory judge ruled utility didn't breach safety standards. Originally reported by NBC Bay Area.
Regulatory judge rules
A regulatory law judge found ratepayers, not PG&E, should pay all outstanding costs from the 2019 Kincade Fire and 2021 Dixie Fire.
Total bill for ratepayers
If the proposed decision is approved, ratepayers would owe $1.7 billion on top of funds PG&E previously tapped from the state’s wildfire fund.
PG&E's legal presumption
PG&E is entitled to presumption of operating its system reasonably under a 2019 law, having been issued a wildfire safety certificate.
Ratepayer advocates' argument
Ratepayer advocates argued PG&E violated regulations by leaving live power lines in place for years, causing the Kincade and Dixie fires.
PG&E's defense
PG&E said its control-room operators didn't see dangerous conditions and handled the incident correctly under company policy.
Next steps
The judges' decision goes to the CPUC for final ruling; if upheld, PG&E would raise rates to cover remaining debt for the two fires.
What matters most
Ratepayers must pay $1.7 billion for PG&E's Kincade and Dixie fires after regulatory judge ruled utility didn't breach safety standards.
