'Public Ownership of Major Utilities'

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PG&E began its latest phase of shut-offs Friday afternoon as high winds threatened to damage above-ground power lines and spark more fires. As the Los Angeles Times reported, "by Sunday evening the utility had cut current to 940,000 homes and businesses, affecting more than two million people, with one more phase to come in Fresno and Madera counties."

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"No one in this country should be losing power in their home because large corporations have failed to invest in a smart, safe, and modern electrical grid," said Rafael Návar, Sanders' 2020 California state director. "When Bernie is in the White House, he is going to take on the corporate greed and recklessnesss of the energy industry and build a 21st century energy grid that will deliver clean, reliable power to all."

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"We will spend $526 billion on a modern, high-volt, underground, renewable, direct current, smart, electric transmission and distribution grid [that] will ensure our transition to 100 percent sustainable energy is safe and smooth," the plan says. "The renewable energy generated by the Green New Deal will be publicly owned, managed by the Federal Power Marketing Administrations, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Tennessee Valley Authority."

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"The for-profit companies that reign over our energy system now have shown no meaningful sign of being willing to transform our energy system; they are much more interested in shareholder gains and business as usual," Bozuwa wrote. "In contrast, democratic public ownership of our energy system could prioritize community benefit over profit, paving the way for a just and equitable energy system."

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/10/28/pge-leaves-millions-without-power-amid-wildfires-sanders-says-time-think-about