California Utilities Agree to Fire Relief Fund

All three of California's investor-owned utilities have agreed to pay into a new fund to cover costs from catastrophic wildfires caused by power company equipment.

Pacific Gas & Electric said Thursday that it will pay about $4.8 billion into the fund when it emerges from bankruptcy as well as $193 million a year.

That's on top of Southern California Edison's announcement earlier in the day that it would participate.

San Diego Gas & Electric said last week that it would join the fund, committing $450 million over multiple years.

Together the companies will contribute a total of $10.5 billion from shareholders and debt financing. Electric customers, meanwhile, will kick in an additional $10.5 billion through an existing charge on their bills.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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