Pacific Gas & Electric fended off allegations that it’s breaking its promises to the victims of catastrophic wildfires ignited by the utility’s outdated equipment in Northern California as it tries to preserve its plan for getting out of bankruptcy in an unraveling economy.
Attorneys for a wildfire victims' committee leveled the accusations on Tuesday during an acrimonious court hearing.
PG&E’s lawyers scoffed at the allegations as a desperate bid to renegotiate a $13.5 billion settlement reached months ago.
The committee was trying to win court approval to send a letter to victims warning of problems in PG&E's plan; however, a federal judge refused to put his stamp of approval on the letter.
The decision issued late Tuesday by Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali bolsters PG&E’s efforts to hold together its plan.
The ruling still allows the wildfire victims’ committee to send out a letter outlining its concerns as the voting continues on PG&E’s plan for dealing with the death and destruction caused by its fraying electrical grid.
