Sen. Dodd Responds to PG&E Protection Bill Signing

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signing of Senate Bill 350, a measure that will hold Pacific Gas and Electric Co. accountable if it fails to adhere to public safety policies designed to prevent more  devastating wildfires.

“I want to thank the governor for his leadership in holding PG&E accountable and signing this bill,” said Sen. Dodd, who was principal co-author of the bill written by Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo. “Because PG&E has proven time and again it is not up to the task of delivering safe, affordable and reliable energy. This is another step to ensuring our communities and consumers are protected.”

SB 350 authorizes creation of a non-profit, public benefit corporation to acquire PG&E if the utility falls short of achieving reforms in policies and operations that have been required by law. The bill was co-authored by Sen. Mike McGuire, D-Healdsburg.

The measure builds on a framework laid out by last year’s Assembly Bill 1054, co-authored by Sen. Dodd, which created a restructuring plan for PG&E and established a fund for paying wildfire damages. It advances more recent requirements from the court overseeing PG&E’s bankruptcy as well as new mandates from the California Public Utilities Commission.

###

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.