PG&E

PG&E Starts Another Blackout as California Fires Rage

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) — Millions of Californians prepared to be in the dark — some for five days, or longer — as the nation’s largest utility said it was switching off power again Tuesday to prevent powerful winds from damaging its equipment and sparking more fires.

Firefighters try to hose down flames as homes burn in the Getty fire area along Tigertail

Northern, Central California Suffer Sweeping PG&E Blackouts

Households and businesses across northern and central California suffered blackouts on Wednesday — and are bracing for more on Thursday, as the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) company shut down portions of its power grid due to weather conditions that could lead to wildfires.

PG&E blackouts (Brittany Hosea-Small / Getty)

Report: PG&E Offshoring IT Jobs to India to Cut Wage Costs

In the latest high visibility offshoring of Silicon Valley jobs to India, the San Francisco Business Times (SFBT) reported last month that the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) will offshore about 72 information technology (IT) jobs from San Francisco to India in a restructuring that could slash labor costs by 75 percent.

PG&E empty chair (Tony Avelar / Associated Press))

CA Liberals’ Demand to Shut Power Plants Risks New Energy Crisis

The Los Angeles Times reports a new effort to shut down local natural gas power plants due to the possibility of a 21 percent electrical capacity glut by 2020. But shrinking the surplus generation cushion runs the risk of launching another energy crisis like the one that caused Governor Gray Davis’ recall.

California natural gas (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

Jerry Brown Criticized for Big Oil Donors

Pay-for-play accusations are being levied against longtime California governor Jerry Brown in a new report from Consumer Watchdog that details $9.8 million paid in contributions to Brown’s political and other initiatives, many of which occurred in close succession with policy moves favorable to the 26 energy companies that donated.

Jerry Brown (Sandy Huffaker / Getty)

Anti-Terror Budget for CA Power Plants Cut in Fight

Money that was being appropriated for use towards protecting California power plants from terror attacks is reportedly being held hostage as a consequence of a battle between the California Public Utilities Commission and state legislators over the appropriation of $5 million in legal fees stemming from a corruption investigation into the agency.

California substation (Matthew Fern / Flickr / CC / Cropped)

PG&E Power Company May Have Caused Butte Fire

On Wednesday, an executive with Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) acknowledged that the Butte Fire, which has ravaged almost 72,000 acres in Amador and Calaveras Counties, may have been triggered by one of the company’s power lines sparking a tree into flames.

JOSH EDELSON, Getty Images