California regulators have fined Pacific Gas and Electric Co $106 million for allegedly violating guidelines in 2019 for executing planned power outages to lower wildfire risks. The fine by an administrative law judge is part of an ongoing effort by the California Public Utilities Commission to hold the state’s major investor-owned utilities accountable for the public safety power shutoffs used in wildfire mitigation measures.
The net penalty for PG&E is $20 million, as the utility company has already issued $86 million dollars in credits to customers’ bills. The remainder of the fine will be paid by shareholders through credits to customers and a contribution to a statewide backup portable battery program.