November 11, 2019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: David Liebler, Director of Public Affairs & Member Services, 916-327-7500, ext 530

CSAC has issued the following in statement in response to PG&E’s latest attempt to avoid liability laws.

“Just when you think you have seen the last of PG&E’s shocking behavior, something else comes along. The investor-owned utility is now hoping that bankruptcy court will rule it can shirk its constitutional responsibility to compensate residents for wildfires that its equipment started.  Having failed to get any political support in Sacramento, PG&E is now arguing in court that the law known as inverse condemnation should not apply to them. Enough already.

“Liability laws do not cause wildfires; faulty utility equipment does – and continues to do so. Despite massive power shutoffs around the state last month, utility equipment appears to have started wildfires in numerous counties. This has to stop. Instead of trying to protect itself from liability, PG&E needs once and for all to solely focus on protecting our residents – and fulfilling its fiscal obligations to those impacted by wildfires.

“It’s time for PG&E to step up, start being a good corporate citizen and take responsibility instead of just worrying about the bottom line.”