Consumer Watchdog

By Megan Fan Munce, Kathryn Palmer, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/pge-ceo-politics-bill-22414649.php Pacific Gas & Electric Co. will defer $2 billion in connections to new renewable-energy projects and housing developments, among other investments, after the California Legislature failed to reach a deal on limits for what utilities could be forced to pay if they start wildfires.

By Laurence Sarmiento, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-09-04/george-joseph-pioneering-mercury-general-founder-dies-at-104 George Joseph came of age during the Great Depression, a calamity that left with him with a stated desire to always have plenty of work to do. The billionaire insurance executive was busy enough during a career that lasted more than 70 years, highlighted by his founding of Mercury General Corp.

By Nicole Nixon and Noah Haggerty, LOS ANGELES TIMES https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-01/coverage-for-smoke-damage-money-for-protecting-homes-passed-to-help-wildfire-victims SACRAMENTO — California lawmakers passed laws that would ensure financing for upgrades protecting residences from future fire damage and require insurance companies to provide better coverage for smoke-damaged homes.

By Tony Saavedra, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER https://www.ocregister.com/2026/09/01/wildfire-reform-proposal-dies-at-the-last-minute-amid-pushback-from-edison-pge-sempra After months of negotiations and a last-minute compromise, a once-vaunted wildfire liability plan was killed in the Assembly on Tuesday, with leaders citing its inability to meaningfully address needed state reforms in the wake of disastrous blazes.

By Stephen Hobbs, THE SACRAMENTO BEE https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article317102668.html Pacific Gas and Electric Co., the major California utility, announced Wednesday that it was deferring billions of dollars in planned work after what it sees as the inability of the Legislature to resolve issues with the company's liability following a wildfire.

By By MELANIE MASON, DUSTIN GARDINER and BLAKE JONES, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2026/09/03/the-incredible-missing-man-01063174 Gavin Newsom had his successor in his mind when he pushed hard for a wildfire liability deal in the closing days of his final legislative session, vowing to “not walk away and hand a real mess to the next governor.” But Xavier Becerra himself played virtually no part in the legislative drama that has consumed the Capitol, and...

By Staff Reporters, KCBS-AM (Radio): Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.

By MELANIE MASON, DUSTIN GARDINER and BLAKE JONES, POLITICO https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-playbook/2026/09/03/the-incredible-missing-man-01063174 Gavin Newsom had his successor in his mind when he pushed hard for a wildfire liability deal in the closing days of his final legislative session, vowing to “not walk away and hand a real mess to the next governor.” But Xavier Becerra himself played virtually no part in the legislative drama that has consumed the Capitol, and he’s...

By Staff Reporters, KNX-AM (Radio): Click below to listen to the audio of this radio broadcast segment.

By George Avalos, MERCURY NEWS https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/09/02/pge-fire-electric-gas-oakland-california-bill-economy-home-build-jobs OAKLAND — PG&E said Wednesday it will defer $2 billion in planned spending next year, a move the utility warned could delay electrical connections for new homes, renewable-energy projects, data centers and other development after California lawmakers abandoned an overhaul of wildfire liability rules.