trending Market Intelligence /marketintelligence/en/news-insights/trending/2vfak-uxcyf4-qkgyh8j3w2 content esgSubNav
In This List

PG&E equipment cited in California fire agency review of 2017 wildfires

Podcast

Next in Tech | Episode 49: Carbon reduction in cloud

Blog

Using ESG Analysis to Support a Sustainable Future

Research

US utility commissioners: Who they are and how they impact regulation

Blog

Q&A: Datacenters: Energy Hogs or Sustainability Helpers?


PG&E equipment cited in California fire agency review of 2017 wildfires

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said June 8 that equipment belonging to Pacific Gas and Electric Co., or PG&E, contributed to 12 wildfires in northern California in October 2017.

PG&E's electric power and distribution lines, conductors and power poles were cited by the agency in the fires. In eight instances, there was evidence of state law violations, the agency said. CAL FIRE, as the agency is known, forwarded that information to relevant county district attorneys' offices for review.

The company, which had requested an extension to file its general rate case application in the state over wildfire liability fears, said in a statement that it believes PG&E's overall programs met California's standards.

"For example, PG&E meets or exceeds regulatory requirements for pole integrity management, using a comprehensive database to manage multiple patrol and inspection schedules of our more than two million poles," the company said.

Some of the incidents linked by CAL FIRE to PG&E are the Sulphur Fire in Lake County, which the agency said was caused by the failure of a company-owned power pole; the Norrbom Fire, sparked by a tree falling upon PG&E power lines; and the Atlas Fire in Napa County, the result of a tree and a limb falling on a PG&E power line.

San Francisco-based PG&E said that extreme weather conditions of heat and drought have created a "new normal" for California that needs new solutions. In 2017, the state faced 7,117 wildfires, including five of the 20 most destructive wildfires in California history, PG&E said, citing information from CAL FIRE.