SDG&E blamed for wildfires in legal action

UCAN In the Media

Placing the blame.

Editor's Note: Attorneys have
charged gross negligence for
SDG&E's role in the fires.
UCAN has argued in court briefs
that SDG&E's reckless pursuit
of the unnecessary, but profitable
Sunrise project, will put more
homes in danger, and potentially
result in tragic future losses ...
losses that will ultimately be
charged to ratepayers.

FOX NEWS:

Go to Fox News

Blame for two of last month's wildfires is being placed on San Diego Gas and Electric. According to attorneys, the complaint was filed on behalf of all persons damaged by the fires, and alleges gross negligence on the part of the utility.

Attorney Todd Macaluso says the utility should have cleared trees around power lines. They failed to do so and he charges that the winds blew trees and brush into the lines, starting both the Rice and the Witch fire.

"Witnesses saw these sparks start the Witch fire," claims the attorney.

SDG&E issued a written response:

"We believe that at the time of the fires, our power lines were in compliance with all laws. The extreme conditions -- hurricane-force winds -- created a huge hazard for all of us, including our electric system. No electric system can be completely protected from such severe weather."

Michael Shames of the consumer watchdog group UCAN says the utility is potentially liable if it does not maintain its lines and its infrastructure.

"Of course, if they are liable, the odds are they will pass on the costs of the liability to their customers who in many cases were burned out," adds Shames.

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Not SDG&E's fault

have fun trying to prove it was SDG&E's fault. The city's attorney is an idiot and not going to win.

So the wild fires had

So the wild fires had nothing to do with a humans moving into areas they are not or should not be living. Where fires are a common occurance and is a normal cycle of the forest in this area.

The fires would have happened regardless. Humans need to rething how energy is delivered to them. SDGE is just the conduit to deliver energy (read carefully) that you need to power your electronics, homes, tvs, etc, etc.

Home based energy creation (small windmills, solar) should what humans should be focused on, then you won't need SDGE.

If it is determined that SDGE wire caused the fire, then really humans should look in the mirror as they need the energy for most of their useless devices.

I believe a wire on SDG&E

I believe a wire on SDG&E grid did spark and cause fire. SDG&E is lying when they say no wires in fire areas. I live in an area in Lakeside where there is a lot of growth that could start fires because there is a grid wire running between trees on my street. SDG& E's unprotected wire grid in the midst of the fire area caused the worst fire disaster in the 40 plus years I've lived in San Diego. But then, this company has done nothing in the past to prepare for any kind of disaster...whether it's from fire or black outs (remember 2001). It seems to me San Diego is not America's Finest; it is Sempra Energy's Finest.

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