Judge Approves PG&E Bankruptcy Exit
The post Judge Approves PG&E Bankruptcy Exit appeared first on POWER Magazine.
A federal judge in California has approved Pacific Gas & Electric’s plan to exit bankruptcy, clearing the way for the utility to compensate victims of a series of wildfires in the state that left more than 100 people dead in 2017 and 2018.
The action by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali on June 20 authorized $ 13.5 billion in compensation for more than 70,000 businesses and homeowners for losses sustained during the fires, which officials said were started by PG&E’s equipment. The company will emerge from bankruptcy with about $ 40 billion in debt, after agreeing to settle claims from people, insurers, and local government agencies for $ 25.5 billion.
Montali’s approval also will allow PG&E to take part in a $ 20 billion state fund established by lawmakers, designed to help utilities operating in the state cover liabilities from future wildfires attributed to their transmission lines and other equipment. …