Survivors of past Northern California wildfires shut out of last-minute bill adding $18 billion for state's restitution fund

"Northern California fire survivors, whose plight inspired the fund and who have yet to be made whole for their losses in the 2017 North Bay firestorm and 2018 Camp Fire, among others, had recently been pushing lawmakers to be included in the fund, but no such provision was part of the last-minute deal, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Friday."

"The $21 billion California Wildfire Fund was created after Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s bankruptcy in 2019 as liabilities for catastrophic fires tied to its equipment soared. Funded in equal parts by ratepayers and utility shareholders, the pool of money was the state's answer to a new era of utility-sparked and climate-driven wildfires that have leveled communities and threatened to topple the state's giant energy providers as they confront legal claims from thousands of fire survivors."

"The wind-driven Los Angeles firestorm in January, however, established a new high mark, with more than 16,000 homes, businesses and other structures destroyed and 31 people killed making for what is likely to be one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history. In one of those infernos, the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, Southern California Edison has indicated its equipment may be tied to the origin in the foothills of Altadena, with investigations ongoing."

A last-minute California bill included a major infusion to the state's wildfire restitution fund but did not add Northern California fire survivors seeking compensation for prior disasters. The $21 billion California Wildfire Fund was created after Pacific Gas & Electric Co.'s 2019 bankruptcy and is funded equally by ratepayers and utility shareholders to cover liabilities from utility-tied fires. January's wind-driven Los Angeles firestorm destroyed over 16,000 structures and killed 31 people, raising fears the fund could be drained if utilities are found at fault. Lawmakers added a provision to extend the fund by 10 years with an additional $18 billion split again between ratepayers and utility shareholders.

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