Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Utility’s Boss to Testify About Power Shutoffs in California
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
November 18, 2019

Share

SACRAMENTO — The CEO of the nation’s largest utility is expected to face angry California lawmakers on Monday over the company’s decision to turn off power for millions of people to prevent its outdated equipment from starting wildfires.
Pacific Gas & Electric Corp. CEO Bill Johnson is scheduled to testify during a Legislative oversight hearing on Monday at the state Capitol. Lawmakers have repeatedly criticized the bankrupt company for leaving millions of people in the dark for days at a time during dry, windy weather events in October.

“It’s beyond time to hold PG&E accountable.” — Sen. Mike McGuire
Johnson has defended the company’s actions as “well planned and executed,” arguing the power shutoffs have saved lives during the state’s lengthy wildfire season.
In a statement, Johnson said that the power shutoffs were “the right call in terms of safety and reduction of fire risk. I also believe that there were elements of the process that did not work well and the criticism is deserved. In case we need to invoke PSPS (public safety power shutoffs) in the future, we want to improve the process and thus we strongly welcome external review of our PSPS plan, practices, and actions during the recent event.”
But public officials have criticized the shutoffs for being too broad and poorly executed. Last week, the Public Utilities Commission launched a formal investigation.
“It’s beyond time to hold PG&E accountable,” Democratic state Sen. Mike McGuire said last month. McGuire is one of the lawmakers scheduled to question Johnson and others on Monday.
The hearing comes as PG&E is trying to emerge from bankruptcy after its equipment sparked the most devastating wildfire in California history last year, destroying roughly 19,000 buildings and killing 85 people. The company faces potential damages of up to $30 billion.
Photo of firefighters
Firefighters battle a wildfire in Riverside, Calif. Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019. Santa Ana winds are expected to linger for a final day after driving more than a dozen wildfires through California. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

A Federal Bankruptcy Judge Has Appointed a Mediator to Try and Resolve the Case

Pre-emptive power shutoffs are not new to California, but the scope of PG&E’s shutoffs this year have been unprecedented. The company has more than 5 million customers in Northern California, including the San Francisco Bay area and Silicon Valley. It operates about 125,000 miles of power lines, including many in dry, dense forests that act as fuel for fires.
The state Legislature has set a June 30 deadline for PG&E to emerge from bankruptcy or else forfeit participation in a fund designed to help cover damages from future wildfires. But negotiations have bogged down as the company’s shareholders and creditors are battling in bankruptcy court for the future of the company.
A federal bankruptcy judge has appointed a mediator to try and resolve the case. But Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened to intervene if the company can’t reach an agreement by June 30, including a potential state takeover.
California’s other large investor-owned utilities — San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison — also preemptively shut off power this year to prevent wildfires. But their shutoffs affected far fewer people and did not last as long. Executives from those companies are scheduled to appear with Johnson at the hearing, along with other high-ranking officers at PG&E.
Lawmakers are also scheduled to question several top officials from the Newsom administration, including Ana Matosantos, Newsom’s newly appointed “energy czar,” and Mark Ghilarducci, director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.
Others scheduled to testify include public school superintendents, local government leaders, business owners and advocates for the elderly and medically vulnerable.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

US Military Bases to Restore Names Changed After Racial Justice Protests, Trump Says

DON'T MISS

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

DON'T MISS

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

DON'T MISS

Wall Street Ends Higher as Investors Track Progress of US-China Trade Talks

DON'T MISS

Israel Strikes Hodeidah Port, Threatens Naval, Air Blockade

DON'T MISS

Trump Warns Protests at Army Parade Will Be Met With Force

DON'T MISS

Britain and Allies Sanction Israeli Far-Right Ministers for ‘Inciting Violence’

DON'T MISS

Trump Aide Criticizes Mexican President on Los Angeles Protests

DON'T MISS

Do Americans Support Trump’s Use of Marines in LA? The Numbers Might Shock You

DON'T MISS

Israeli Gunfire Kills 17 People Near Gaza Aid Site, Health Officials Say

UP NEXT

Do Americans Support Trump’s Use of Marines in LA? The Numbers Might Shock You

UP NEXT

Marines Will Deploy to LA for 60 Days, Costing Taxpayers $134 Million

UP NEXT

Trump Says ‘We’ll See’ if Insurrection Act Needed Amid Protests in Los Angeles

UP NEXT

Trump Administration Deploys Marines to Los Angeles, Vows to Intensify Migrant Raids

UP NEXT

Pentagon Defends Troop Deployments to Los Angeles to Protect ICE Agents

UP NEXT

Does US Law Allow Trump to Send Troops to Quell Protests?

UP NEXT

First the National Guard, Will the Marines Be Next at LA Riots?

UP NEXT

‘Everybody Stood up’: Why a Union Leader’s Arrest Galvanized California Democrats on Immigration

UP NEXT

Trump Hints He Would Support Arrest of California Governor Newsom

UP NEXT

A Solidarity Protest in San Francisco Turns Violent

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

5 hours ago

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

6 hours ago

Wall Street Ends Higher as Investors Track Progress of US-China Trade Talks

8 hours ago

Israel Strikes Hodeidah Port, Threatens Naval, Air Blockade

8 hours ago

Trump Warns Protests at Army Parade Will Be Met With Force

9 hours ago

Britain and Allies Sanction Israeli Far-Right Ministers for ‘Inciting Violence’

9 hours ago

Trump Aide Criticizes Mexican President on Los Angeles Protests

9 hours ago

Do Americans Support Trump’s Use of Marines in LA? The Numbers Might Shock You

9 hours ago

Israeli Gunfire Kills 17 People Near Gaza Aid Site, Health Officials Say

10 hours ago

Parliament Member Corbyn Calls for Inquiry Into UK Role in Gaza War

11 hours ago

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed a proposal that would ban teaching antisemitism at the state’s public K-12 schools, universiti...

4 hours ago

Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, center, applauds for those affected by the Los Angeles area wildfires as she gives the State of the State address in the House of Representatives at the state Capitol with Speaker of the House Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, left, and Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, flanking the governor on Jan. 13, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP File)
4 hours ago

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., demands the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka after his arrest while protesting outside an ICE detention prison, May 9, 2025, in Newark, N.J, (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)
4 hours ago

US Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted on Federal Charges From Skirmish at New Jersey Immigration Center

President Donald Trump prepares to deliver remarks during a visit to Fort Bragg to mark the U.S. Army anniversary, in North Carolina, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
5 hours ago

US Military Bases to Restore Names Changed After Racial Justice Protests, Trump Says

5 hours ago

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

6 hours ago

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., June 5, 2025. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/ File Photo
8 hours ago

Wall Street Ends Higher as Investors Track Progress of US-China Trade Talks

A bridge crane damaged by Israeli air strikes is pictured in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen July 31, 2024. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah//File Photo
8 hours ago

Israel Strikes Hodeidah Port, Threatens Naval, Air Blockade

U.S. President Donald Trump boards Air Force One as he departs for North Carolina at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
9 hours ago

Trump Warns Protests at Army Parade Will Be Met With Force

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend