Energyutilities News

"Opposition Mounts Against PG&E's Costly Plan to Bury Power Lines and Prevent Wildfires"

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) is facing opposition from state regulators over its plan to bury power lines in high-risk areas to prevent wildfires, as it would take too long and cost $5.9 billion, with customers having to bear the cost. Regulators prefer a cheaper but riskier approach of putting a protective cover over the power lines. PG&E argues that burying power lines reduces the chance of starting a wildfire by 99%, while the protective cover reduces it by 62%. The California Public Utilities Commission will decide the issue next month. PG&E's plan is part of a broader goal to bury 10,000 miles of power lines over the next decade.