U.S. judge wants to know if PG&E committed wildfire crimes
A federal judge supervising the aftermath of PG&E’s San Bruno explosion felony trial wants to know if the embattled utility committed crimes in connection with its operations or maintenance of electricity lines in the area of several Northern California deadly wildfires, including the Camp Fire, according to a new court order issued Wednesday.
The request for information came in connection with a series of wildfires in PG&E’s service territory, including the October 2017 Wine Country wildfires and last month’s Camp Fire, according to multiple orders from U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup.
The judge requested the California attorney general to provide information regarding whether certain PG&E actions in connection with its electricity system could be considered criminal.
“The extent to which, if at all, the reckless operation or maintenance of PG&E power lines would constitute a crime under California law” was the primary area of interest on the part of Judge Alsup in his request to the state prosecutors.
On Nov. 27, Judge Alsup demanded answers from PG&E about its role in multiple fatal Northern California wildfires.
San Francisco-based PG&E was given until Dec. 31 to answer several questions contained in the order from U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup. The state Attorney General was also given until Dec. 31 to file a court brief regarding the situation.
https://www.chicoer.com/2018/12/05/u-s-judge-wants-to-know-if-pge-committed-wildfire-crimes/