As California Bills Soar, PG&E Pushes Costly Wildfire Projects Over Cheaper Options. Here’s Why

Source: Sacramento Bee  |  By Ari Plachta

Undergrounding efforts are a piece of the steady rise in electricity bills, one that’s expected to grow in upcoming years. As millions face mounting bills, Gov. Gavin Newsom has emphasized that he and state lawmakers are committed to bringing rates down. Utilities like PG&E have resisted proposals that could end up lowering their profits, experts say. Even when it’s not the most cost-effective option, they argue, utilities often favor undergrounding over other strategies because it boosts their returns.

“The issue has been that there’s no fiscal discipline when it comes to wildfire mitigation spending,” said Katy Morsony, former staff attorney at the Utility Reform Network. “If we can do things in a more cost effective way, meaning take less ratepayer dollars and have lower bills, that’s a worthwhile goal.”