Governor Gavin Newsom is asking the trustee in the Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation to ensure that wildfire survivors, PG&E employees and customers have strong representation inside the bankruptcy courtroom. That request made in a letter sent on Friday by the Newsom administration.
"From the first indications that PG&E would file for bankruptcy, my administration's intentions have been clear -- we will look out for the interests of this state," said Newsom. "As this case unfolds, the state will continue working to ensure that Californians have access to safe, reliable and affordable service, that victims and employees are treated fairly, and that any bankruptcy outcome will preserve a strong renewable energy sector and maintain forward progress on the state's clean energy goals."
The letter also cites the impacts of the bankruptcy process will have on wildfire survivors, employees, and customers. In it Newsom insists that the composition of the creditors' committee is critically important and must be led by stakeholders who have a long-term interest in California.
"Wildfire survivors, employees and customers deserve to have a seat at the table during this bankruptcy process," wrote Newsom. "These groups don’t have the resources of many of PG&E’s Wall Street creditors, but they will be directly impacted by the bankruptcy’s results and deserve to have substantial representation in bankruptcy court."
"Most vulnerable in this process are the wildfire victims who were uninsured, underinsured or have potential claims against the company for personal injury and wrongful death," the letter reads. "These individual victims should not be left to fend for themselves in a creditor class outnumbered by sophisticated and deep-pocketed financial institutions and insurance companies."