Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) avoided criminal charges in agreeing to pay more than $55 million in civil contributions and penalties as part of a settlement in California announced Monday regarding the utility company’s alleged role in the 2019 Kincade Fire and 2021 Dixie Fire.
The agreement prioritized payments to those who lost their homes and property and charitable contributions over seeking criminal charges. A consortium of five district attorneys, collectively referred to as the “North State DAs,” noted criminal fines regarding the Dixie Fire, which nobody died as a result of, would have totaled only $329,417, while civil penalties “maximize the return to the fire victims.”
