Sep 13, 2019 - Energy & Climate

California wildfires result in $11 billion settlement

Rashaan Ayesh

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) crews repair power lines that were destroyed by the Camp Fire — PG&E crews repair power lines that were destroyed by the Camp Fire in Paradise, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California utility company PG&E announced Friday it has reached an $11 billion settlement with a group of insurers for its role in deadly 2018 wildfires.

Why it matters: PG&E faired well considering insurers were initially seeking $20 billion to pay for the cost of claims, says the Financial Times. The current settlement will cover 85% of claims.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection claiming they couldn't afford the $30 billion in damages. That means a bankruptcy court still has to approve the settlement agreement.

What they're saying:

Ad Hoc Subrogation Group said in a statement they "hope that this compromise will pave the way for a plan of reorganisation that allows PG&E to fairly compensate all victims and emerge from Chapter 11 by the June 2020 legislative deadline," per Financial Times.
A lawyer representing the victims described PG&E's plan to cap payments at $8.4 billion as "totally unacceptable," reports Reuters.

Go deeper: California wildfire is the most destructive in state history

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California wildfires result in $11 billion settlement

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