Utilities seek permanent cap on wildfire liabilityWildfire liability cap would shift utility costs to customersWildfire liability protections could preserve utility investment
California’s three biggest privately owned power companies want a lasting ceiling on shareholder payments for catastrophic wildfires, a proposal that could transfer more costs to customers through electric bills. The effort comes while authorities continue examining Southern California Edison’s part in the deadly Eaton fire.California’s investor-owned utilities want lasting ceilings on what shareholders owe for catastrophic fires, a plan that could leave customers covering more costs on their electric bills. The proposal comes as the Eaton fire investigation continues.California’s biggest privately owned power companies are pushing to permanently limit shareholder payments for catastrophic fires, saying this would safeguard credit ratings and investment. Customers could face higher bills if fire costs exceed the cap.