This month’s CACE Statewide Call focused on one of California’s most urgent issues: wildfire mitigation and utility accountability. With billions spent by utilities like PG&E and SDG&E, communities are asking: is this money really reducing wildfire risk, or just shifting the burden onto customers?
Our guest speakers , Bill Powers, Nancy Macy, Kristen Sandel, and Faye Johnson, shared on-the-ground perspectives and data that shed light on what’s working, what’s failing, and what community advocates are pushing for instead.
Key topics included:
- Utility spending breakdowns: Billions directed toward undergrounding, covered conductors, and drone assessments vs. underinvestment in lower-cost, high-value measures like microgrids, solar + storage, and advanced protection systems.
- PG&E’s wildfire strategies: Heavy reliance on tree-cutting and power shutoffs, while aging powerlines — the primary ignition source — remain largely unaddressed.
- Community perspectives: Real-world experiences from rural customers dealing with unsafe shutoffs, degraded quality of life, and the impacts of mass tree removals.
- Legislative and regulatory advocacy: Ongoing efforts to influence state and federal wildfire legislation, reform PG&E’s Wildfire Mitigation Plans, and challenge the CPUC’s role as a “captured” regulator.
- Local government action: Pushing counties, like Santa Cruz, to renegotiate outdated Franchise Agreements with PG&E to strengthen community protections.
Speakers
- Bill Powers – Energy consultant with decades of experience analyzing utility infrastructure and wildfire mitigation spending, focusing here on SDG&E’s $6.9 billion investments.
- Nancy Macy – Chair of the Valley Women’s Club Environmental Committee, leader of the Utility Wildfire Prevention Task Force, and Chair of Fires Aren’t Caused by Trees (FACT).
- Kristen Sandel – Co-chair of the VWC Environmental Committee and active Sierra Club leader, advancing state and local climate and wildfire policy.
- Faye Johnson – Member of the PG&E Subcommittee and leader within Indivisible California’s Climate Justice Working Group.
This discussion made clear that spending alone isn’t the solution. To truly protect communities, wildfire mitigation must prioritize safety, accountability, and resilience — not just costly utility-driven projects. The call underscored the need for community-led oversight and smarter, more effective strategies for preventing utility-caused wildfires in California.
A recording of this presentation is now available here. You can access all CACE videos at our YouTube channel, here.