-

PG&E Statement on Company’s Sentencing Related to 2018 Camp Fire

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PG&E today accepted its sentence in Butte County Superior Court related to the company’s role in the 2018 Camp Fire. In accordance with the plea agreement PG&E reached in March 2020 with the Butte County District Attorney, the company pleaded guilty to 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of unlawfully starting a fire.

The following statement was delivered today in court by incoming Interim CEO of PG&E Corporation Bill Smith.

“During these past two days, we have heard the victims of the 2018 Camp Fire share their traumatic and tragic experiences. We have heard every word—from the ones in person, the ones on the phone and the ones read by Mr. Ramsey.

We respect and honor each of those victims—what they have experienced and what they have shared with us at this hearing. We will never forget their pain.

It can never be said too many times: We accept responsibility for our role in the Camp Fire, and all 23,000 employees are committed to making sure our equipment never again causes a catastrophe like this.

On behalf of everyone at PG&E, I’m truly sorry for the terrible loss of life and the physical and emotional damage resulting from the fire. I recognize that no apology, no plea, no sentencing can undo that damage, and no passage of time can lessen the anguish we heard expressed in this courtroom.

All of us know that actions speak louder than words.

We have taken action, and we will continue to take action to combat the growing threat of wildfires and keep our customers and our communities safe.

We have been working tirelessly to improve our processes, harden our systems, and incorporate advanced weather technology to give us better insight into what’s happening in these risky conditions.

Overall, we are making comprehensive and meaningful changes to make PG&E the safe and reliable utility that Northern and Central Californians deserve. We are committed fully to continuing that work.

While nothing will repair the wounds caused by the Camp Fire, we hope the actions we are taking will begin to restore the trust of our communities and their confidence that we are working to keep them safe.

Your Honor, we have come before this Court, the Camp Fire victims, and the community—with humility and respect—ready to be held to account for this tragedy and committed to regaining the trust that we have broken.”

About PG&E Corporation

PG&E Corporation is a holding company headquartered in San Francisco. It is the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the “Utility”), an energy company that serves 16 million Californians across a 70,000-square-mile service area in Northern and Central California. Each of PG&E Corporation and the Utility is a separate entity, with distinct creditors and claimants, and is subject to separate laws, rules and regulations. For more information, visit http://www.pgecorp.com. In this news release, they are together referred to as “PG&E.”

Contacts

Media Relations
415.973.5930

PG&E Corporation

NYSE:PCG

Release Versions

Contacts

Media Relations
415.973.5930

More News From PG&E Corporation

12 Local Organizations Selected for $900,000 in Grants to Fund Environmental Stewardship and Climate Resilience Projects

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Building upon a long history of climate action and environmental stewardship, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and The PG&E Corporation Foundation (Foundation) have awarded $900,000 across two grant programs intended to support climate resilience efforts in PG&E’s hometowns, while also protecting and restoring land, water, and air in habitats and communities across California. Through the Better Together Nature Positive Innovation grant progr...

Give the Gift of Energy to Those in Need this Holiday Season

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This holiday season, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers can get into the giving spirit by making a tax-deductible donation to the Relief for Energy Assistance through Community Help (REACH) program. The REACH program provides financial assistance of up to $300 for customers struggling to pay past due energy bills. To help households who are struggling to pay their energy bills, PG&E announced today it is contributing $325,000 to the Dolla...

PG&E Prepared to Respond to Significant Storm System Expected to Impact Northern and Central California this Weekend

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Meteorologists are forecasting a significant weather system this weekend in Northern and Central California that could bring rain, gusty winds, heavy snow and the possibility of thunderstorms. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is preparing to respond to potential power outages and urges customers to be prepared as well. PG&E meteorologists, along with experts from the National Weather Service, forecast that a potent storm system is expected to arr...
Back to Newsroom