California has a wildfire problem. We also have an accountability problem.
Chances are you’ve seen the ads by “Wildfire Victims First” on your television recently. Despite its name, this utility-funded political front group is part of a campaign to overhaul the state’s wildfire liability system, which is also a priority for Governor Newsom. The reality is that their plan does very little to benefit wildfire survivors and a whole lot to benefit corporate utilities.
Newsom’s proposal would reduce corporate utilities’ responsibility for fire damages by limiting attorneys’ fees, capping pain and suffering, and restricting insurers’ ability to recover money from utilities. In practice, that means shifting more of the financial burden away from utility companies and toward survivors, insurers, and ratepayers.
This comes on the heels of an investigation that found SoCal Edison responsible for starting the Eaton Fire in January 2025. Despite being on the hook for billions of dollars in damages, Edison’s profits jumped more than 200 percent last year and its CEO received a $16.6 million pay package. If corporate utilities can continue raking in record profits, Californians have every reason to ask why survivors should be the ones expected to shoulder the costs of catastrophic fires.
Details of Newsom’s proposal are slowly being revealed as we approach the end of the legislative session on August 31. The governor has indicated his openness to a special session, which could stretch well into the fall, providing more time to hear all voices and make a more prudent decision.
This development makes The Climate Center’s work to promote local, clean, resilient energy solutions that are not controlled by corporate utilities all the more important. Take action today to support clean, affordable electricity solutions before the California legislature right now!
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