PG&E CEO Disagrees With Criminal Charges Filed In Zogg Fire

San Francisco CA

25 September, 2021

6:35 PM

Description

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — PG&E CEO Patti Poppe said she disagrees with the criminal charges filed Friday by Shasta County prosecutors against the San Francisco-based company for last year's Zogg Fire. The fire killed 4 civilians, destroyed 204 structures, and burned 56,338 acres, according to Cal Fire. A Cal Fire investigation found that the fire started when a pine tree came in contact with a PG&E distribution line north of unincorporated Igo. "Let me be clear, my coworkers are not criminals," Poppe said in a statement Friday. "We welcome our day in court so people can learn just that." PG&E has been under intense scrutiny since at least 2010 when a gas line exploded in San Bruno, killing eight and destroying dozens of homes. The scrutiny has become more intense since PG&E has been blamed for wildfires in the last few years and began shutting off power to prevent such wildfires. "We are all devastated by the effects of wildfire here in California," Poppe said. "My heart aches. I have seen firsthand how devastating it is and have spoken with many of those most harmed. These communities are the hometowns where my coworkers live and work, too." Poppe said she came to PG&E to "make it right and make it safe." She said already PG&E has resolved many claims from the Zogg Fire and work is ongoing to resolve the rest. "We've accepted CAL FIRE's determination, reached earlier this year, that a tree contacted our electric line and started the Zogg Fire," Poppe said. "We accept that conclusion. But we did not commit a crime." Copyright 2021 by Bay City News, Inc. — Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited.