$PCG

Los Angeles County Fire Department and Cal Fire said the January 2025 Eaton Fire was caused by electrical arcing from an out-of-service Southern California Edison transmission tower, after an 18-month review. The report and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration are tied to proposed limits on investor-owned utilities’ wildfire liability, affecting insurers, customers, and legal costs. The article cites the 2018 Camp Fire as a similar case.

Consumer Watchdog says California’s three largest for-profit utilities, PG&E, Southern California Edison and Sempra Energy, spent $366 million since Gov. Gavin Newsom took office to build support for a proposed wildfire utility bailout. The group cites $238.9 million in charitable giving and $127.6 million in state-influence costs, including $66.8 million in campaign contributions and $60.8 million in lobbying, plus related political relationships.

PG&E (PCG) said it could use actions such as share buybacks to protect shareholders if California lawmakers do not limit utility wildfire liabilities. The company linked future capital allocation to changes in wildfire liability rules. The article cites PCG stock around $17.20 and quarterly net income of $733 million in Q2 2026 and $1.591 billion for the first half.

Pacific Gas & Electric CEO Patti Poppe and Edison International CEO Pedro Pizarro warned California lawmakers that if wildfire-liability legislation is not passed, they may take actions to protect shareholders, including potential share buybacks and credit-support measures. Edison faces Eaton fire lawsuits; officials blamed its transmission line. Edison paid over $1B to victims and says it expects reimbursement via state funds.

PG&E says it has started pilots for an infrared and UV drone program to inspect its power lines. The drones are used to detect potential line issues and wildfire-related “hot spots,” with year-round flights that increase in summer. PG&E says each day’s coverage can span 3 to 5 miles of poles and lines, limited to daylight and good weather, and focused only on company assets.

Wildfire Victims First, a coalition backed by California’s investor-owned utilities PG&E, Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric, launched July mailers and ads urging lawmakers to act on wildfire, insurance and affordability. Fire survivors and nonprofits dispute the group’s role, citing utility liability concerns. The article also notes SB 254’s $18 billion wildfire-fund infusion and $16.7 million utility lobbying disclosures.

Consumer Watchdog says California’s three investor-owned utilities, PG&E, Southern California Edison, and Sempra, spent a record $16.7 million lobbying Sacramento through six quarters of the 2025-2026 session, including $4.35 million in Q2 2026. The group also alleges a utility-funded wildfire coalition is pushing a bailout as lawmakers consider further changes.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) reported results of its cash tender offers for up to $1.2 billion of 3.30% Senior Notes due Dec. 1, 2027 and 2.10% First Mortgage Bonds due Aug. 1, 2027. As of July 31, 2026, it will accept $1,218,990,000 of bonds, subject to conditions including a financing condition. PG&E is advised by J.P. Morgan and Barclays.

PG&E said millions of its residential customers with active electric accounts will receive California Climate Credit electric bill credits of $36.18 each for August and September, totaling $72.36, later this summer. The credits are funded by California’s cap-and-invest program, per the CPUC. The article notes similar credits for SCE and SDG&E, and that PG&E has paid nearly $1,200 per customer since 2014.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) set pricing terms for cash tender offers to buy up to $1.2 billion of its 3.30% Senior Notes due Dec. 1, 2027 and 2.10% First Mortgage Bonds due Aug. 1, 2027. Consideration is based on a fixed spread over U.S. Treasury yields. As of July 31, 2026, it expects to accept all tendered 3.30% notes and 26.6% of tendered 2.10% bonds, subject to conditions.