Pacific Gas and Electric is seeking an increase in electricity and gas rates from the California Public Utilities Commission, a request that has produced a growing storm of critical voices from consumers whose budgets are pinched by other rising costs. But just how high does PG&E want to push up...
Unusual Council Coalition Seeks Alternative to War with PG&E
Less than a week after a discussion, but no resolution, members of the Fresno City Council met with Pacific Gas and Electric on Monday. More meetings are scheduled for later this week. The main complaint from Mayor Jerry Dyer, other councilmembers, and the development community: delays in electrifying housing and...
Dyer Points to 27 Million Reasons Fresno Opposes PG&E Rate Hike
The Fresno City Council backed up Mayor Jerry Dyer's request to formally oppose a proposed rate hike by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. on Thursday. And, part of the motivation was as clear as the city of Fresno's yearly bill from PG&E— $27 million for gas and electric services. PG&E...
$3,500 Grants Offered to Help Restaurants Rebound From COVID
Beginning Sunday, restaurants in Fresno and Kern counties can apply for $3,500 grants to help them rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants will be administered by California Restaurant Foundation's Restaurants Care Resilience Fund. The application deadline 11:59 p.m. April 18. To be eligible, restaurants must have 50 or fewer employees...
PG&E Faces 33 Criminal Charges in Kincade Fire
SACRAMENTO — A California prosecutor filed 33 criminal charges Tuesday against the troubled Pacific Gas & Electric for a 2019 wildfire that officials blamed on the utility. The Sonoma County district attorney charged the utility with felony and misdemeanor counts in the October 2019 Kincade Fire north of San Francisco....
Storm Brings Over 2 Feet of Snow to Yosemite. Sheriff Search Locates Overdue Campers.
Over two feet of new snow was reported Wednesday morning in Yosemite's Tuolumne Meadows area by National Weather Service weather spotters. NWS is also expecting heavy snow throughout the remainder of Wednesday and into Friday throughout the foothills. Wind gusts as high as 40 miles per hour could occur throughout...
Evacuation Warning Issued in Madera County Ahead of Incoming Storm; Power Outages Possible
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office is issuing an evacuation warning for Road 225 between Cascadel Road, including the area within Sierra National Forest, due to an incoming storm with possible debris & mud flow concerns. The weather event is expected to include gusty south winds, significant mountain snow and prolonged...
Whack and Stack: PG&E’s Toppling of Trees Creates New Hazards
Kristi and Brian Anderson have some thoughts about how the first year of California’s “get-tough-on-utilities” approach to preventing wildfires is going: Badly. Very badly. The Andersons, who live in Bonny Doon, nestled in the mountains near Santa Cruz, lost their home four months ago in the CZU Lightning Complex fires. But their...
PG&E Shutoff Leaves Nearly 5,000 Without Power in Fresno, Madera. How Long Will Outage Last?
(Update) Pacific Gas & Electric officials said Monday afternoon that power shutoffs are no longer necessary in Fresno, Madera and Mariposa counties due to improvements in weather conditions. "We have received all clear orders for portions of all local counties and tribal areas affected by the Public Safety Power Shutoffs,"...
High Wind Danger Could Lead PG&E To Shut Off Power To Foothills Residents This Weekend
With high winds expected this weekend in the eastern parts of Fresno County, officials are warning residents to be cautious of potential hazards, specifically in Creek Fire burn areas. The National Weather Service office in Hanford says a fire weather watch has been issued for the Sierra Nevada and Kern County...