Sen. Dodd Responds to Gov. Newsom's PG&E Reform Deal

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today regarding Gov. Gavin Newsom’s deal to reform PG&E:

“Gov. Newsom deserves a lot of credit for reaching this point,” Sen. Dodd said. “PG&E has long been unwilling to make more than superficial changes on its own accord. Advancing the interests of ratepayers and communities is our top priority, meaning that we need systemic change to ensure the safe, reliable delivery of electricity. The governor and I have been in lockstep that business as usual is patently unacceptable, and we’ve worked to force corrections.  

“This framework significantly advances the transformational change we need at this troubled utility. Our regulators must still exercise strong oversight and enforcement to guarantee that these aren’t just words on a page. That they’re followed through with deeds. Additionally, this isn’t the end of our work as policymakers to ensure accountability, improve safety and avoid power shutoffs. I’m looking forward to building on this critical milestone going forward.”

Sen. Dodd has introduced over a dozen new laws to improve wildfire safety and response, including requirements for enhanced wildfire mitigation plans and physical compliance audit inspections of vegetation management work. Among his legislation this year:

SB 862 – Requires investor-owned utilities to address needs of access and functional needs individuals in wildfire mitigation plan Public Safety Power Shutoff protocols, and clarifies that a de-energization event is covered under the provisions of the state Emergency Services Act.

SB 884 – Ensures that schools are made whole for their lost average daily attendance during a PSPS; allows schools to add instructional days in a year when the school had to close because of a PSPS, and allows the school to receive ADA funding for those additional days.

SB 947 – Requires the California Public Utilities Commission to do an evaluation of performance-based ratemaking as a tool to encourage investor-owned utilities to achieve certain levels of safety improvements, reliability and reduction in the incidence, geographic scope and duration of a PSPS, and to report back to the Legislature.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. More information on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.