Source: The Mercury News | By Editorial Board of The Mercury News and The East Bay Times

TURN executive director Mark Toney says that it would be significantly cheaper for PG&E to insulate its power lines, rather than bury them underground, as a way to protect against catastrophic wildfires. The two proposals would have PG&E insulate 1,800 miles of power lines and bury 200 miles of power lines at a cost of $2.1 billion. PG&E proposes insulating 320 miles and burying 2,000 miles of power lines at a cost of $5.9 billion.

Source: CBS News | By Tori Apodaca

The Utility Reform Network, which advocates on behalf of ratepayers, has argued that a faster and cheaper way to reduce wildfire risk is to insulate power lines instead of burying them.

It appears the commission agrees. Both of its proposals would approve rate increases sufficient to bury less than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) of lines.

Still, "both proposed decisions adopt substantial and painful increases to monthly bills, far beyond the cost of inflation, which (we believe) should be a cap for bill increases," said Mark Toney, executive director of The Utility Reform Network.

Power bills for about 16 million people in Northern California will likely increase after state regulators released two rate proposals for one of the nation's largest utilities Wednesday.

The California Public Utilities Commission is finishing up its once-every-four-years review of Pacific Gas & Electric, the Oakland-based utility that provides electric and gas service to a 70,000-square-mile (181,000-square-kilometer) area in northern and central parts of the state. The commission must approve how much PG&E can charge customers and how it will spend that money.

Source: World Time Todays | By Rick Schindler

But Mark Toney said utility-caused wildfires are completely preventable. He is Executive Director of the tariff payers group The Utility Reform Network (TURN) in California. He is urging PG&E to isolate its lines in high-risk areas.

“We must stop the wildfires caused by utilities. We need to stop them, and the quickest and cheapest way to do that is to isolate the overhead wires,” he said.

In the early moments of the Maui fires, as high winds toppled utility poles and slammed power cords into the dry grass below, there was a reason the flames suddenly erupted in long, orderly columns — those wires were bare, uninsulated metal could produce sparks on contact.

Source: KTVU | By Tom Vacar

Consumer advocates are also not pleased with the ruling.

"PG&E, once again, was not held accountable for its actions," said Mark Toney, director of The Utility Reform Network.

PG&E has agreed to pay $45 million to support organizations that continue the rebuilding and assistance of those impacted by the fire.

It has also agreed to a $5 million penalty to be directed to Shasta County.

Source: The Press Democrat | By Marisa Endicott

“We’re concerned that PG&E is not appropriately considering alternatives,” said Iain Fisher with the Public Advocates Office, which advocates for ratepayers at the CPUC. Fisher is particularly wary of the almost 8,000 miles slated for after 2026.

By comparison, Southern California Edison is also burying power lines but is much more focused on covered conductor work, which adds a protective layer to overhead wires.

While burying power lines has undeniable long-term benefits, critics point out that utilities have incentive to favor such projects as capital investments because they increase profits for shareholders, whereas something like vegetation management is just a business expense.

And, with so much focus on undergrounding, some worry there is less capacity to focus on short-term and medium-term system upkeep and wildfire prevention.

Source: Grist | By Blanca Begert

“That’s a major safety concern, I keep getting calls from hospitals and housing projects that can’t get connected to the grid…”

Pacific Gas & Electric, California’s private utility company that maintains a monopoly over electric service in the state, let go of…