PG&E Files for Bankruptcy, Prepares to Reorganize
California utility Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Jan. 29, as the company faces as much as $ 30 billion in potential liabilities for its role in a series of wildfires in the state. The filing was expected after the company notified its workers two weeks ago it was preparing a reorganization plan.
PG&E is working on a multibillion-dollar debtor-in-possession financing deal with several banks to provide the company funding to continue operations during its reorganization. The California Public Utilities Commission approved the company’s plans to tap up to $ 6 billion in financing to help it operate while under bankruptcy protection, and the company in a statement Tuesday said it will ask the bankruptcy court to approve $ 5.5 billion in financing.
John Simon, PGE’s interim CEO, said in a statement, “We are fully committed to enhancing our wildfire safety efforts, as well as helping restoration and rebuilding efforts across the communities impacted by the devastating Northern California wildfires.…