Regulators approve PG&E bankruptcy plan despite safety fears
BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) — California power regulators on Thursday unanimously approved Pacific Gas & Electric's $58 billion plan for getting out of a bankruptcy caused by a series of deadly wildfires, despite ongoing worries about the utility's ability to safely operate its crumbling electrical grid.
The vote by the Public Utilities Commission came just a few hours after a federal judge ripped the company for continuing to engage in reckless behavior that he believes is endangering even more lives.
U.S. District Judge William Alsup blasted PG&E for “flim flamming” him about its newfound commitment to safety in previous hearings. He also raised worries that state power regulators haven’t done enough to prevent “a recalcitrant criminal” from causing more death and destruction as the risk of wildfires rises with the summer temperatures.
“If there ever was a corporation that deserved to go to prison, it is PG&E,” Alsup said.
Read more: https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Judge-rips-PG-E-s-safety-record-before-key-15301616.php
(Laredo Morning Times)
