PG&E power shutoff delayed for parts of Contra Costa County

PG&E's Public Safety Power Shutoff that was set for Wednesday morning in the Lamorinda area of Contra Costa County appears to have been delayed to the afternoon because of changing weather conditions, authorities said.

Emergency warning systems present patchwork of problems

During a power shutoff or disaster, advanced warning is expected, but the patchwork of technology and lack of uniformity causes confusion across the Bay Area, forcing many alerts to be missed, delayed or lost.

CPUC launches formal investigation into PG&E power shutoffs

The California Public Utilities Commission has announced a formal investigation into PG&E's historic and controversial Public Safety Power Shutoffs last month to assess whether the company's leadership properly balanced the utility's need to provide safe and reliable service.

Despite bankruptcy, PG&E continues to spend millions on lobbying

In the midst of bankruptcy, liability for wildfires and ongoing scrutiny over public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), PG&E continues to spend millions of dollars in lobbying.  The company’s latest filing with the secretary of state shows it has spent nearly $2.1 million this year to influence lawmakers, pay lobbying firms and compensate in-house lobbyists.

PG&E scales back San Jose’s Christmas in the Park sponsorship

PG&E’s financial troubles are affecting a long time holiday tradition in San Jose. The executive director of Christmas in the Park said this year PG&E is scaling back its sponsorship big time. Christmas in the Park is set to open later this month with an expected 700,000 visitors. 

Funeral fallout: PG&E power outages don't just affect the living

Other hiccups came to light, too. With the internet down, death certificates couldn’t be signed immediately. Cremations had to be rescheduled. Some reception rooms were dark, leaving grieving families to make somber plans by lantern light. Churches were forced to shut their doors.

PG&E anticipates more than $6B in wildfire costs

Pacific Gas & Electric reported substantial losses for the third quarter on Thursday, driven by catastrophic wildfires that have been blamed on the utility’s outdated transmission lines. The company anticipates those costs could escalate to as much as $6.3 billion.

California utility meets with governor amid bankruptcy case

California's governor called the chief executive of a troubled utility to his office on Tuesday for a closed-door meeting as the company struggles to emerge from a high-profile bankruptcy while facing criticism for its practice of shutting off power for millions of people to prevent wildfires.

Gov. Newsom threatens possible PG&E takeover if no plan is made

California's governor on Friday threatened a possible takeover of the troubled utility blamed for sparking deadly wildfires across the state with its outdated equipment unless it can emerge from bankruptcy ahead of next year's wildfire season with a plan focused on safety.