Major electric grid work is ahead in PG&E’s territory, whether or not the California electric and gas utility files for bankruptcy. Faced with billions in potential liability from November’s Camp Fire, PG&E announced Jan. 14 it intends to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings on Jan. 29.
The California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) is still investigating the Camp Fire, in which 86 people died. But the utility reported damage to a 115,000-volt transmission line in the area shortly before the blaze started, and it is already facing lawsuits stemming from it. Under state law, utilities are responsible for fires caused by their equipment. Additionally, Cal Fire has determined that PG&E caused 18 wildfires in 2017.
