To the editor: I agree that it might have been good to see Senate Invoice 492 handed, and even voted on (“Wildfire bill flameout sad for California,” Sept. 1). However what George Skelton’s column missed was why the utility firms are working so laborious to scuttle any reform that doesn’t embrace vital caps on what victims can recuperate, and why victims/survivors are preventing so laborious to be sure that doesn’t occur.
For-profit utilities, together with Southern California Edison and Pacific Fuel & Electrical, have started at least seven of the 20 most damaging wildfires within the state. Edison and PG&E have repeatedly did not take the steps to repair their growing old infrastructure. Sempra, alternatively, did, and it has not began a wildfire since.
No person desires a utility to go bankrupt. However when executives from Edison and PG&E complain that they’re risking precisely that, it comes off as so many crocodile tears. Both companies made report income in 2025 (greater than $4 billion for Edison) and noticed their executives’ compensations rise. If they’re that significantly anxious that wildfire claims will damage them so badly, why aren’t they fixing the issues which have repeatedly brought about the wildfires?
The reply is easy. It prices them much less to pay settlements than it does to repair their infrastructure. Primary math and logic. So long as this continues, we are going to see extra catastrophic wildfires, extra lives misplaced, extra properties and companies misplaced and extra communities gutted. It’s additionally why we as a state can’t afford any extra utility bailouts. They’re not those who’re hurting. As a substitute, they’re hurting us.
Anne Louise Bannon, Altadena
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To the editor: Like 1000’s of others, my household misplaced our Altadena dwelling on Jan. 7, 2025. We’re concerned in a lawsuit towards Southern California Edison. Even earlier than a latest investigation confirmed it, we knew it needed to be accountable.
We misplaced every thing. We’re continually reminded of our loss, each single day. The quantity of paperwork, stress and heartache in rebuilding our lives has been immeasurable.
The insurance coverage firms make an amazing amount of cash (take a look at govt pay plus bonuses), as do the utility firms’ executives, and we owners and renters pay and pay and pay, with will increase yr over yr. We did the mathematics after we obtained photo voltaic, and our utility payments have elevated a mean of 9% yearly over a number of years. Now our insurance coverage firm desires to recoup its cash, if we recuperate some from Edison. Isn’t it time we get a break? Isn’t it time that we maintain all of those firms accountable to do what we’re paying for?
We’ve paid into owners insurance coverage for greater than 30 years. We pay utility payments each month. The insurance coverage firm’s job is to pay the declare. The utility’s job is to offer constant and protected vitality. All of them ought to be held accountable to doing their jobs, as is their contract with us. Customers shouldn’t be held again from holding them accountable.
Wendy Winter, Los Angeles
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To the editor: Skelton is true in that the wildfire invoice flameout is gloomy for California, however the absence of a invoice is known as a matter of what is perhaps greatest for the folks of California.
The apparent resolution is perhaps to restore {the electrical} traces in order that they don’t arc and trigger fires, however that’s pricey for the utilities. On the different finish of the issue, insurance coverage firms are already leaving the state. Insurers need out too as a result of it’s higher to absorb premiums as a substitute of paying out cash when one thing dangerous occurs.
How does one repair this case? As Skelton says, it’s difficult, which might be why the state authorities in the end walked away. Legislators don’t wish to step on the toes of both the utilities or the insurance coverage firms, that means that the persons are left within the lurch, ready for the subsequent huge hearth to burn our means.
We want assist and never legislators who don’t wish to hurt their marketing campaign benefactors. However that appears unlikely. So, we wait and cross our fingers, hoping that the subsequent hearth, flood or earthquake doesn’t hurt us.
Edgar Kaskla, Backyard Grove
