Sonoma Clean Power to Study Role in PG&E’s Future

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In a landmark unanimous vote, the board of Sonoma Clean Power has voted to move ahead with a study of a possible role for the company in the future acquisition of PG&E power lines and other infrastructure, should a public takeover of the company take place.

The vote comes as PG&E is locked in a difficult and contentious bankruptcy filing, and faces tens of billions of dollars in liabilities from mammoth fires that have devastated large parts of Northern California, and killed more than 100 Californians since 2017.

Since 2014, Sonoma Clean Power has generated and purchased electricity from renewable sources, and sold it to customers in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties using PG&E wires and infrastructure. The vote followed the board’s assessment that PG&E faces an uncertain future, and may be the target of acquisition by a hedge fund or other entity that could squeeze profits out, and leave customers holding the bag for billions of dollars in neglected maintenance.

Already the city of San Francisco has explored buying PG&E’s power grid, and a consortium of elected officials including the mayors of San Jose and Sacramento have called upon the state to explore ways to acquire the utility’s assets and turn it into a publicly owned cooperative.

For its part, PG&E says it is committed to changes designed to transform the company, and insure public safety. However, many public officials across the state are not convinced.

Mark Landman, past mayor of Cotati and current city council member is the board chairmen of Sonoma Clean Power. He told News of the North Bay that the board’s vote to move ahead to study options is critically important given the past history of PG&E, and its uncertain future as the utility’s bankruptcy moves forward.