PG&E: State will consider breaking up or taking over utility giant, citing poor safety record

SAN FRANCISCO — State utility regulators may take drastic steps to repair Pacific Gas and Electric’s “serious safety problems,” a move one local lawmaker says is long overdue.

State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, said he is “thrilled” by the announcement, calling it a “welcome departure from the more conservative and cozy approach” the commission has taken for well over a decade.

“I think the commissioners basically reached a tipping point,” Hill said Saturday afternoon. “They’ve never asked these questions before … They’ve realized that no matter what they say, PG&E’s culture and way of doing business has not changed.”

The state Public Utilities Commission announced late Friday it will deeply investigate PG&E’s “safety culture by examining the company’s current corporate governance, management and structure to determine the best path forward for Northern Californians to receive safe energy service.” That includes possibly replacing the utility’s board of directors, breaking up the company into smaller parts or even converting it to a public agency.

MORE: https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/12/21/pge-state-will-consider-breaking-up-or-taking-over-utility-giant-citing-poor-safety-record/

Public agency!