State AG, Local DAs Could Take Action Against PG&E In New Bill

BAY AREA, CA — A group of Bay Area lawmakers unveiled a bill on Tuesday that would give state and local prosecutors the power to take enforcement action against PG&E and other utilities for failing to meet safety standards.

Currently, only the California Public Utilities Commission has the authority to bring action against electrical companies. But the bill, AB 2356, would broaden the authority to include the state attorney general and local district attorneys.

"California must face the reality that climate change will continue to pose massive threats of wildfires throughout the state," said Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley in a statement. "This bill allows local District Attorneys and the Attorney General to enforce laws requiring utilities to take all necessary measures to ensure their equipment is safe and well maintained."

Lawmakers said the bill would give local jurisdictions more power to keep communities safe during future wildfires, in the event of negligence by utility companies.

The bill was announced Tuesday by Senator Steve Glazer (D-Orinda), Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo) and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda).

PG&E has weathered a firestorm of criticism in recent years, having been blame for negligent repairs that led to a 2010 pipeline explosion in San Bruno, and equipment failures that have been linked to a string of wildfires including the devastating 2018 Camp Fire.

Another bill introduced in the State Senate this month would have the state take over PG&E and run it as a publicly owned utility.

The utility, based in San Francisco, filed for bankruptcy in January 2019, facing billions of dollars in claims stemming from wildfire damage. It has said it expects to emerge from bankruptcy by its June 30 deadline.