CA’s Catastrophic Wildfires in 2020 Erased 20 Years of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions

New Mexico high severity claims

According to a new study, California’s catastrophic wildfires in 2020 released twice as much greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere as the state’s reductions in those same gases over nearly 20 years, erasing gains dating back to 2003. According to the researchers, it is part of a very negative positive feedback loop. “Climate change is… Continue reading CA’s Catastrophic Wildfires in 2020 Erased 20 Years of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions

Millions of Homes Are Being Built in Harm’s Way Even as Wildfires Grow

insurers exodus from wildfire regions

Wildfires are becoming larger and more severe across the Western United States as global warming intensifies. At the same time, new data show that more Americans than ever are moving to areas of the country that are more likely to burn, increasing the likelihood of disaster. More than 16 million homes in the West were… Continue reading Millions of Homes Are Being Built in Harm’s Way Even as Wildfires Grow

Evaluating Wildfire Risks Increasingly Difficult for Insurers

insurers exodus from wildfire regions

Assessing wildfire risks has become more difficult for insurers, according to experts, but a new report accusing California insurance companies of improperly restricting coverage has raised concerns that carriers are abdicating their responsibilities as the blazes become more destructive. While insurers say that finding better ways to assess risk is critical to offering insurance at… Continue reading Evaluating Wildfire Risks Increasingly Difficult for Insurers

California Bill Would Invest Billions for Wildfire Response

insurers exodus from wildfire regions

As Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares to release his May budget revision, with an estimated surplus of $68 billion, Assemblymember Marc Levine (D – Marin County) announced a $10 billion budget request on Monday, including $5 billion to incentivize home hardening in high wildfire risk areas and another $5 billion to establish a state Catastrophic Wildfire… Continue reading California Bill Would Invest Billions for Wildfire Response

Southern California Edison Faces $550M In Penalties for 5 Wildfires

Utilities increasingly cause of wildfires amid climate change

California regulators approved a settlement Thursday placing more than half a billion dollars in fines and penalties on the utility Southern California Edison for its role in five wildfires in 2017 and 2018. The penalties relate to the Thomas, Woolsey, Rye, Meyers and Liberty fires. The Thomas fire, which burned in Ventura and Santa Barbara… Continue reading Southern California Edison Faces $550M In Penalties for 5 Wildfires