Utilities

PG&E to offer $13.5 billion in compensation to wildfire victims: Bloomberg

A wind-driven wildfire burns near power line tower in Sylmar, California, October 10, 2019.
Gene Blevins | Reuters
Key Points
  • Bankrupt California power producer PG&E is offering $13.5 billion in compensation to wildfire victims as part of a restructuring plan, Bloomberg reported on Monday.
  • The same amount has been offered to the victims by a rival group of noteholders led by Pacific Investment Management and Elliott Management.
  • PG&E sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January after massive wildfires struck Northern California in 2017 and 2018, which were blamed on its equipment.

Bankrupt California power producer PG&E is offering $13.5 billion in compensation to wildfire victims as part of a restructuring plan, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing people with knowledge of the situation.

The same amount has been offered to the victims by a rival group of noteholders led by Pacific Investment Management and Elliott Management, according to the report.

PG&E sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January after massive wildfires struck Northern California in 2017 and 2018, which were blamed on its equipment.

A lawyer for the committee of wildfire victims said last month their claims may be worth $13.5 billion, Reuters reported.

PG&E had previously proposed to provide $8.4 billion in compensation, but the victims sided with the noteholders in the hopes of getting more money.

PG&E and the victims were in talks on Monday, Bloomberg reported.

PG&E did not immediately respond to Reuters request for a comment.