Second Round of Blackouts Begins in California, With More on Horizon

wildfires and smoke

PG&E Corp. said it would begin shutting off power to 179,000 customers in 17 California counties on Wednesday afternoon, its second major intentional blackout this month meant to head off potential wildfires. The shut-offs were expected to begin at 2 p.m. local time in the Sierra Nevada foothills and 3 p.m. in some counties north… Continue reading Second Round of Blackouts Begins in California, With More on Horizon

Unprecedented Power Outages Begin in California as Winds Bring Critical Fire Danger

Ca property insurance reforms

In an unprecedented move, Pacific Gas & Electric early Wednesday began shutting off power to about 800,000 customers across Northern California in an attempt to avoid wildfires caused by winds damaging power equipment. The power cutoffs started in several counties around Sacramento, including Placer and Yuba, amid increasing winds. Officials said cutoffs will continue throughout… Continue reading Unprecedented Power Outages Begin in California as Winds Bring Critical Fire Danger

PG&E Moves Forward with $11 Billion Settlement Plan

Meadow back burn and Oregon ash tree. River Complex fire in Trinity County, California.

PG&E Corp. said on Monday that it has formalized an $11 billion settlement with insurance companies over wildfire claims and denounced an alternative bankruptcy plan made last week by bondholders. The deal covers insurance carriers and hedge funds that were seeking compensation from PG&E for payouts insurers made to homeowners and businesses in connection with… Continue reading PG&E Moves Forward with $11 Billion Settlement Plan

Insurers Offer Competing Plan to Rescue PG&E from Bankruptcy

Natural disasters and homeowners insurance

Insurance companies that say Pacific Gas & Electric owes them more than $20 billion from wildfire claims wants to take over the California utility and pull it out of bankruptcy. The group of insurers filed court documents Tuesday seeking to end PG&E’s exclusive right to file a reorganization plan. They want the right to submit… Continue reading Insurers Offer Competing Plan to Rescue PG&E from Bankruptcy

California Legislature Approves Multibillion-Dollar Wildfire Fund

Ca property insurance reforms

California lawmakers on Thursday approved a multibillion-dollar fund meant to stabilize the state’s largest utilities amid fears of sizable future liability costs from deadly wildfires tied to their equipment. The creation of the wildfire fund, one of the biggest challenges in the first year of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration, is part of a broader… Continue reading California Legislature Approves Multibillion-Dollar Wildfire Fund

California Lawmakers Race to Pass Wildfire Legislation by July 12

two silhouette on housefire background

Lawmakers in Sacramento may be on the cusp of making significant changes in the way utilities pay for the cost of devastating wildfires caused by their own equipment and maintenance programs. But they are racing against the clock and, in some cases, criticism over whether their legislative fixes amount to a big bailout for power… Continue reading California Lawmakers Race to Pass Wildfire Legislation by July 12

PG&E to Pay $1B to Local Governments for CA Wildfire Damage

Ca property insurance reforms

A California utility agreed Tuesday to pay $1 billion to 14 local governments to cover damages from a series of deadly wildfires caused by its downed power lines. The settlement is a sliver of the more than $30 billion in potential damages Pacific Gas & Electric is facing in lawsuits filed by local governments, insurance… Continue reading PG&E to Pay $1B to Local Governments for CA Wildfire Damage