Frustrated SF Sunset residents and merchants protest PG&E's response to power outages

"Businesses and homeowners say the last several days have been extremely difficult on them. And now filling out the PG&E claim forms to get bill credit is also challenging, expecially for those trying to fill out the Chinese language form. They tell ABC7 News that for the Chinese version, they have to print out a form, then they can follow the rest of the claims process, which includes listing each item in their refrigerator, taking pictures and offering more details."

"They are demanding that the claims process be streamlined and that PG&E increases the credits offered. MORE: PG&E's $200 credit 'doesn't cut it' as some SF residents continue to recover after power outage "PG&E needs to step up and do better," Sunset homeowner David Lee said. "They can increase their credit as a beginning: $500 for individual households, raise it from $2,500 to $5,000 for small businesses. Make the claims process more streamlined, easier and transparent.""

"The people protesting say that because of the time of year, their refrigerators were even more full than usual with food bought specifically for the holidays. Businesses also lost plenty of inventory. VIDEO: New SF supervisor calls for PG&E accountability for SF power outages The first day the power went out many restaurants had full dining rooms and lines of people waiting to come in. Many customers already eating weren't able to pay their bills."

Residents and merchants gathered in San Francisco's Sunset District to protest repeated unplanned PG&E outages after a substation fire left some without power for over two days. Protesters demand larger bill credits and a simplified, transparent claims process, emphasizing difficulties with the Chinese-language claim form that currently requires printing, itemizing refrigerator contents, photographing losses, and providing detailed descriptions. Protesters want increases from PG&E's $200 credit to proposals such as $500 per household and $5,000 for small businesses. Businesses reported lost inventory and lost sales during full dining-room closures and customers unable to pay. Protesters call for accountability and improved utility response.

Read at ABC7 San Francisco