Politics & Government
Bauer-Kahan Bill On Utility-Caused Fires Signed Into Law
A Rep. Bauer-Kahan bill that prohibits utilities from passing on the costs of at-fault legal settlements to ratepayers, is now law.
ORINDA, CA -- Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s (D-Orinda) AB 2083, which protects ratepayers of electrical companies from their money being used by the company to pay for wildfire settlement agreements.
“In the last five years, California suffered an unprecedented number of wildfires caused by utilities,” Bauer-Kahan said in a statement. “Charging ratepayers for the companies’ negligence is unethical and must end. I’m thrilled the governor has signed AB 2083 to protect ratepayers.”
AB 2083 prohibits the use of ratepayer funds in criminal or civil settlement agreements where a utility has been found negligent in starting a fire. Currently, when an investor-owned utility (IOU) reaches a pre-trial settlement with the State, county, or city, the funds for the settlement amount can be drawn from ratepayers, making Californians pay for a company’s negligence.
Find out what's happening in Lamorindafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
