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Regulators boost PG&E's wildfire fine to $2.1 billion

PG&E
Posted at 7:18 PM, Feb 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-27 22:18:13-05

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - California power regulators slapped Pacific Gas and 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 Thursday in a an administrative law judge's decision boosts the punishment that had been agreed upon in a $1.7 billion settlement announced in December.

The increased punishment includes a $200 million payment earmarked for the people who lost family and property in catastrophic wildfires caused by PG&E's outdated electrical grid and negligence during 2017 and 2018.

That money will supplement a $13.5 billion fund set up as part of PG&E's bankruptcy case.