Utility Blocked From Charging Ratepayers For Wildfire Costs

In a closely watched decision that could impact whether ratepayers are on the hook for billions in costs related to the Napa-Sonoma fires if PG&E is found at fault, the California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday denied a request from San Diego Gas & Electric to charge its customers $379 million in costs related to three huge fires that the utility’s power lines caused in 2007. By a 5-0 vote the commissioners, who are appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown to regulate utilities, said that San Diego Gas & Electric had not operated its electrical system in a reasonable and prudent manner when the fires began, as state law requires.