PG&E

Between the end of last year’s deadly wildfires and the start of this summer’s fatal blazes, utilities and insurers with a stake in the aftermath have poured more than $3.2 million into California campaign donations and another $5.2 million into state lobbying—a big spike.

Legislation that would alter liability law for California utilities whose equipment sparks wildfires faces a show-down today before a special two-house legislative conference committee.

Gov. Jerry Brown warned that the high cost of liability for wildfires could be the end of private utilities such as Pacific Gas & Electric.

Ten California Congress members sent a letter to the Trump administration warning that the escalating trade war is damaging farm exports. Some could pay a price if they can't persuade Trump to come to farmers' aid.

PG&E says Gov. Jerry Brown's proposal to ease liability for future fires is "insufficient." The question is how much are legislators willing to give.

Gov. Jerry Brown proposed Tuesday that the state ease the liability standards when electricity providers’ equipment sparks fires that destroy property. Utility stock rose. Insurance industry blasts the idea.

California legislators confront the question of how to pay for fire damage. Should PG&E be relieved of costs related to devastating 2017 wildfires, and should the law be changed for future fires?

In Sacramento, the biggest fights are over wildfire liability—who pays for billions of dollars of damages that result from the loss of so many homes, businesses and lives?—and how much utilities like PG&E can pass liability costs onto their customers.

The "tort wars" that raged in the Capitol for decades over who and can sue whom are being reignited by conflicts over legal responsibility for wildfires and the sale of lead-based house paint.