# 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.
- Title: Ratepayers pay $1.7 billion for PG&E fires · NBC Bay Area
- Summary: Regulatory judge orders ratepayers to cover $1.7 billion in unpaid wildfire costs for Kincade and Dixie fires.
- Keywords: pg&e, kincade fire, dixie fire, ratepayers, wildfire costs, regulatory judge, wildfire safety certificate, state assembly bill 1054, NBC Bay Area
- Source: NBC Bay Area — https://nbcbayarea.com/investigations/ratepayers-on-the-hook-pge/4175998
- Published: 2026-11-14T05:03:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pg&e, kincade fire, dixie fire, ratepayers, wildfire costs, regulatory judge, wildfire safety certificate, state assembly bill 1054, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Ratepayers must pay $1.7 billion for PG&E's Kincade and Dixie fires after regulatory judge ruled utility didn't breach safety standards.