Wildfire victims request $13.5B in claims in PG&E bankruptcy

USA – A committee representing victims in the 2017 and 2018 Northern California wildfires is seeking $13.5 billion in claims for victims during the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) bankruptcy case.

The committee’s lawyer announced the committee’s request at a hearing Monday, Reuters reported. PG&E had previously proposed paying a maximum of $8.4 billion to victims of the wildfires, which were blamed on faulty company equipment.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January to protect itself from liabilities. PG&E had said it anticipated liabilities reaching more than $30 billion, according to the news wire.

PG&E has already agreed to $12 billion in settlements to public entities affected by the wildfires, according to Reuters.

The Hill reached out to PG&E for comment.

Also on Monday, PG&E had warned it might be shutting off power across much of California later this week in an effort to prevent further blazes.