Senator Wiener’s Bill Holding PG&E Accountable for Power Blackouts Passes Key Committee

Sacramento – Today, Senator Scott Wiener’s (D-San Francisco) legislation to hold PG&E and other utilities accountable for mass blackouts and their impacts passed out of the Senate Energy, Utilities & Communications Committee by a vote of 10-1. It will now head to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Senate Bill 378 will hold PG&E and other utilities responsible for the damage of the mass power blackouts it levied on the state last fall, in part by requiring utilities to compensate those impacted by the blackouts. PG&E’s equipment has been the cause of past wildfires – rather than focusing on fixing this equipment, PG&E planned widespread blackouts to limit its liability and protect its financial interests. Despite claiming that they would take a “surgical” approach to the blackouts, PG&E power shut-offs were ultimately so widespread that they wreaked havoc on communities all over the state. Lifesaving medical equipment such as respirators and refrigerated medication was rendered useless, and food stamp recipients went hungry as food spoiled without refrigeration. Additionally, many small businesses, due to the high costs of lost productivity, were pushed to consider moving out of California.

SB 378 is part of a larger package of legislation that Sen. Wiener is introducing to hold PG&E accountable for the consequences of its behavior. He plans to introduce a bill later this legislative session to turn PG&E into a public utility.

In addition to requiring compensation for victims of the blackouts, SB 378 also mandates better data collection on utility equipment risks and create clear, consistent standards for reporting about the impacts of planned blackouts. It will also help limit blackouts to only those that are absolutely necessary, by leveling hourly fees on utilities for not providing power. The bill also ensures that customers cannot be billed during planned blackouts, and prevents utilities using ratepayer funds to oppose new energy choices.

“Last fall, mass blackouts had serious consequences for millions of Californians, and especially for our most vulnerable communities – many of whom were repeatedly without power for days on end,” said Senator Wiener. “Currently, utilities have little incentive to avoid mass blackouts, despite the heavy costs blackouts inflict on seniors, people living with disabilities, small businesses, and families. By forcing PG&E and other utilities to take into account the costs these blackouts inflict on communities, SB 378 strikes a better public safety balance.”  

SB 378 is co-authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose).

Click here for the full text of the bill.

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