California: PG&E slapped with huge fine for back-channel communications

California regulators fined the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. $97.5 million for conducting back-channel communications after the disastrous 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion. In announcing the fine, the Public Utilities Commission was enforcing California regulations that ban certain communications between utility executives and the commission and require any communications be reported publicly. (San Francisco Chronicle, April 26, 2018, by David R. Baker)

PG&E will not be able to pass the fines off to consumers or deduct them from its taxes. The Critics have targeted the Public Utilities Commission for its clubby approach to PG&E resulting in closed communications between the two. (San Jose Mercury News, April 26, 2018, by George Avalos)