CPUC Withdraws Arguments Regarding Specific Wildfires in PG&E Protests

Strategic Insights -

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has submitted a notice to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) withdrawing arguments regarding specific wildfires in protests of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (PG&E) Rate Year 2023 and Rate Year 2024 Annual Updates. This move follows the approval of PG&E's TO21 Settlement on August 5, 2025, which settled all issues related to wildfire cost recovery. The CPUC's withdrawal is related to six specific wildfires, including the Kincade, Drum, Zogg, Dixie, Fly, and Mosquito wildfires. The withdrawal is a result of the parties' agreement to settle all disputes related to these wildfires.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CPUC has withdrawn its arguments regarding specific wildfires in its protests of PG&E's Rate Year 2023 and Rate Year 2024 Annual Updates.
  • The withdrawal relates to six specific wildfires, including the Kincade, Drum, Zogg, Dixie, Fly, and Mosquito wildfires.
  • The move follows the approval of PG&E's TO21 Settlement on August 5, 2025.
  • The TO21 Settlement settled all issues related to wildfire cost recovery.
  • The parties agreed to withdraw with prejudice their protests to PG&E's TO20 Rate Case Annual Updates related to Operations & Maintenance ("O&M") and/or Administrative & General ("A&G") costs associated with the Settled Wildfires.
  • The CPUC has submitted a notice to FERC indicating its intent to withdraw its Settled Wildfires Claims.
  • The withdrawal is a result of the parties' agreement to settle all disputes related to these wildfires.

Statistics:

  • Six specific wildfires are involved in the withdrawal, including the Kincade, Drum, Zogg, Dixie, Fly, and Mosquito wildfires.
  • The CPUC requested that determination of PG&E's recovery of costs associated with some of the Settled Wildfires be held in abeyance until CPUC is done with its investigation of the causes of the fire.
  • FERC approved PG&E's TO21 Settlement on August 5, 2025, which became final on September 4, 2025.
  • The CPUC filed a notice indicating its intent to file a partial withdrawal of protest upon approval of the settlement.

Sources:

  • CPUC, et al., Docket Nos. ER19-13-000, ER19-1816-000, ER20-2265-000, and ER24-529-000 (filed September 10, 2025)
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Docket No. ER24-96-000 (filed March 21, 2025)
  • Offer of Settlement and Stipulation, Pac. Gas and Elec. Co., Docket No. ER24-96-000 (filed March 21, 2025)