Tag Archives: PG&E
PG&E Convicted Of Obstructing Blast Probe, Breaking Safety Laws
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
Prosecutors in the criminal case initially sought a fine of up to $562 million, which they said was twice the amount PG&E saved by illegally cutting safety programs. Read More ›
PG&E, In Deal With Consumer Groups, Asks For Smaller Rate Hikes
by David R. Baker, San Francisco Chronicle
If state regulators approve, PG&E’s average monthly bill for residential customers will rise 50 cents in 2017. The utility initially proposed a monthly increase of $4. Read More ›
Prosecutors In PG&E Case Abruptly Reduce Potential Fines
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
Abruptly and without explanation, federal prosecutors slashed potential criminal penalties for Pacific Gas and Electric Co. from $562 million to $6 million Tuesday while a jury was considering whether the company violated safety laws both before and after the lethal 2010 gas pipeline explosion in San Bruno. Read More ›
PG&E Customers Face Triple Whammy In Gas And Electric Bills
by George Avalos, East Bay Times
Before Monday’s hike, total monthly bills for residential customers averaged $145.36. Once all the approved and proposed increases are in effect, monthly power bills could jump to $158.21. Read More ›
PG&E Slammed At Trial As Feds Rest Their Case
by Libby Rainey, San Francisco Chronicle
The prosecution’s final witness testified under cross-examination Thursday that PG&E breached the investigation of the September 2010 pipeline explosion that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes by “pre-interviewing” witnesses in at least two instances. Read More ›
Engineer Calls Years Of PG&E Safety Cuts ‘Near Criminal’
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
The crux of the prosecution is that PG&E, contrary to its stated policy, consistently sacrificed safety for profits. Read More ›
PG&E Monthly Gas Bills Set To Jump About 11 Percent
by George Avalos, East Bay Times
PG&E customers must brace for a double-digit increase in their monthly gas bills after state regulators Thursday approved a program to pay for upgrades to the utility’s aging pipeline system in the wake of the deadly San Bruno explosion. Read More ›
Prosecutor Begins PG&E Trial With Blistering Opening Statement
by Bob Egelko, San Francisco Chronicle
After the September 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion that killed eight people and destroyed 38 homes, PG&E “made a deliberate choice to not follow these … safety regulations,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hallie Hoffman, the lead prosecutor, said in her opening statement in a packed federal courtroom. Read More ›
Judge Asked To Fine PG&E $112 Million For Carmel Blast
by Jaxon Van Derbeken, San Francisco Chronicle
“PG&E should be reminded that the commission and its staff are not operating on a ‘need-to-know’ basis with PG&E,” [Ed Moldavsky, an attorney for CPUC’s safety division,] wrote in his recommendation. … “PG&E has a duty to disclose even troubling facts to the commission,” Moldavsky wrote. “PG&E’s failure to do so makes a mockery out of the regulatory compact.” … “How many times does the corporate mule need to be hit over the head with a 2-by-4 to get its attention?” [Carmel] city attorneys asked. … “Yet here we are again. The facts are clear, and the law is clear.” Read More ›
State Legislators Call For Drastic Overhaul Of California’s Utility Regulator
by Melanie Mason and Jeff McDonald, Los Angeles Times
Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles) said his measure would decentralize the California Public Utilities Commission’s oversight of myriad utilities, including electricity, railroad safety and ride-sharing companies such as Uber and Lyft. … Gatto, chairman of the Assembly’s utilities committee, would give the Legislature two years to divvy up the functions of the commission among other agencies, which Gatto said would result in a more logical assignment of responsibilities. Read More ›