SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California regulators said Friday they are considering splitting up Pacific Gas & Electric Co. or making other drastic changes amid concerns over the utility’s role in recent gas explosions and wildfires.
Among the options under consideration by the California Public Utilities Commission are breaking up the utility’s natural gas and electric distribution and transmission divisions; replacing part or all of the utility’s board of directors and its corporate management; conditioning its equity return on safety; reorganizing the company into regional subsidiaries; or making PG&E a public utility.
The commission hasn’t made any final decisions and is taking comments through Jan. 30.
“We must be careful and practical,” Public Utilities Commission President Michael Picker said in a statement. “This process will be like repairing a jetliner while it’s in flight. Crashing a plane to make it safer isn’t good for the passengers.”
In a statement, PG&E said: “We’re open to a range of solutions that will help make the energy system safer for the customers we serve. PG&E’s most important responsibility must always be public and employee safety.”
