gl anon.
Regulators boost PG&E's wildfire fine to $2.1 billion
https://www.kcra.com/article/regulators-boost-pgandes-wildfire-fine-to-dollar21-billion/31144308
"SAN FRANCISCO —
California power regulators on Thursday slapped Pacific Gas & Electric with a $2.1 billion fine for igniting a series of deadly wildfires that landed the beleaguered utility in bankruptcy.
The record penalty imposed in an administrative law judge's decision boosts a previously agreed upon $1.7 billion settlement announced in December. Several consumer groups had protested the settlement as too lenient in light of PG&E's destruction, and the California Public Utilities Commission agreed after further review.
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PG&E officials said they were disappointed by the increased fine after “working diligently over many months with multiple parties" to reach the previous deal."
Legislators from both parties warn Pentagon not to move money to fund President Trump's border wall
https://www.kcra.com/article/legislators-from-both-parties-warn-pentagon-not-to-move-money-to-fund-president-trumps-border-wall/31116296
WASHINGTON —
Lawmakers from both parties told Pentagon leaders Wednesday that the Defense Department is undermining its own efforts to get military money by diverting billions of dollars for the construction of President Donald Trump's U.S.-Mexico border wall
The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and the committee's top Republican warned Defense Secretary Mark Esper that overturning congressional funding decisions to shift money for the wall is an enormous problem that will have consequences.
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The plan to shift money has triggered rare Republican opposition to one of Trump's priorities.
Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, said the result may be that Congress will place greater restrictions on the Pentagon's ability to move money around to meet military needs. The chairman, Democratic Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, said the money transfer is “very, very damaging to the Pentagon.”
“The message it sends is the Pentagon has plenty of money,” said Smith, adding that it “undercuts any arguments for any need for resources.”
The Pentagon announced this month that it was slashing billions of dollars in funding for Navy and Air Force aircraft and other military programs to free up money for the construction of the wall.
Esper approved the $3.8 billion border wall request from the Department of Homeland Security, and the Pentagon acknowledged that more cuts could be coming to provide additional dollars for the wall. Trump has repeatedly claimed that Mexico is paying for his promised “big beautiful wall,” but that has never happened.