Pacific Gas & Electric Company, whose poorly maintained equipment has been blamed for igniting several recent mega fires in Northern California, has agreed to pay $1 billion to local governments.
Attorneys representing 14 local public entities announced the settlement with PG&E on Tuesday to cover “taxpayer losses.” The fires include a 2015 fire in Calaveras County, a series of wine country fires in 2017 and the Camp Fire, which killed 85 people in Paradise and surrounding communities.
Butte County Counsel, Bruce Alpert said the county has agreed with a mediator’s proposal to settle for $252 million.
“That’s for the county, it doesn’t include any individuals, any businesses, any other entities,” Alpert said.
He said assuming the settlement is approved, the money would give the county the resources to address numerous impacts of the fire and hopefully stabilize county services in the future.
“We’re still trying to get our hands around all the various damages that we have not only suffered to date, but will continue into the future,” Alpert said. “This process will take years and years for this county and its communities to recover, in any manner.”
The Chico Enterprise-Record reports the proposal also includes $270 million for the Town of Paradise and $47.5 million for Paradise Recreation and Parks District.
PG&E filed for bankruptcy earlier this year citing billions in potential losses, mostly to fire victims, businesses and insurance companies.
Alpert said the settlement is still in the beginnings stages. It must be approved by the judge overseeing the company’s bankruptcy.
*This story has been corrected to say the 2015 fire happened in Calaveras County.