California Cities Ask Newsom to Remove Hurdles for PG&E Assets

  • Governor’s wildfire law complicates muni plans to buy assets
  • Law creates ‘dangerous precedent’ for local autonomy: mayors

Governor Gavin Newsom

Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg
Lock
This article is for subscribers only.

A new California law, a win for Governor Gavin Newsom, is intended to help utilities cover wildfire liabilities. But it’s also impeding the efforts of cities such as San Francisco that are seeking power independence.

Now, they’re pressing Newsom to roll back the obstacles the law created before the state legislative session ends in September.