Western Farm Press-

Northern California wineries and farmers could be on the hook for higher utility costs if a bill now on Gov. Brown’s desk is signed. These costs come as legislators agreed to effectively bail out a large, public utility said to be complicit in conflagrations that destroyed homes, wineries and other property last year.

At the end of the day, PG&E ratepayers could be on the hook for billions of dollars in costs related to numerous fires within the utility’s coverage area – fires reportedly linked to poor maintenance efforts to keep trees and other flammable vegetation away from power lines. Those arguing for the legislation say the utility could go bankrupt if not afforded these protections.

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