SDG&E’S LIABILITY FOR THE 2007 WILDFIRES

When an electrical utility is given a franchise to operate a particular area, that utility is in a position to make a large amount of money. With this benefit, however, comes the requirement that utilities follow the rules that exist to protect both their customers and the general public. The transmission and distribution of electricity is an extremely hazardous process.

In San Diego County, SDG&E has made a business decision to use non-insulated wires. As a result, SDG&E’s wires are much more susceptible to damage then the insulated wires used in other areas. SDG&E further endangers the public by running these non-insulated wires on above-ground poles and towers through rural, often heavily wooded areas of San Diego County. During dry, windy weather conditions (which frequently occur in our region during the fall) these non-insulated power lines often come into contact with vegetation, sparking fires. In extreme weather conditions (such as those that occurred in fall 2003 and again in 2007), these fires are carried on gale force winds and can destroy hundreds of thousands of acres.

In 2007, the fires started because SDG&E failed to properly inspect their equipment (including power lines and transformers) to ensure that it was in proper working condition. SDG&E further failed to ensure that the vegetation surrounding the non-insulated power lines was sufficiently trimmed and maintained. In so doing, the company violated the law that governs how a utility must conduct itself.
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