California regulator considers penalty against PG&E in 2017 wildfires

By Ismail Shakil

California utilities regulator has opened a case to evaluate and consider penalties against power and gas utility PG&E Corp for its involvement in the fierce wildfires that killed 46 people in Northern California’s wine country in 2017.

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The regulator said an investigation into the wildfires by Safety and Enforcement Division found that PG&E failed to follow best industry practices, and that there were “various deficiencies in its vegetation management practices and procedures and equipment operations in severe conditions.” 

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“We understand and recognize the CPUC’s concerns, and acknowledge that while we have implemented significant additional wildfire mitigation measures following the devastating 2017 and 2018 wildfires, there is still more work to do and we are committed to doing it the right way,” PG&E said in a statement. 

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