A key state lawmaker is calling on state regulators to more aggressively oversee PG&E’s unprecedented wildfire safety power shutoff that could impact as many as 2.5 million people.
“This is uncharted territory for us, and for PG&E,” said State Senator Jerry Hill, who has long charged that PG&E has not been aggressive enough in turning off power in advance of high winds, to protect against wildfires.
But as waves of massive power cuts ripple throughout the Bay Area, Hill says he is wondering whether the bankrupt utility has gone overboard.
“Has PG&E acted responsibly here, or are they just running scared? In trying to protect themselves from liability?”
Hill said he has drafted a letter, which he expects colleagues to sign with him, demanding the state Public Utilities Commission be more aggressive and conduct a root cause analysis of the shutdown effort this week.