SACRAMENTO – November 03, 2026 -- A PG&E presentation shared with California state senators proposes capping shareholder liability for utility-caused wildfires at between $1.5 billion and $5.1 billion, with ratepayers absorbing the remainder, according to a Los Angeles Times report cited by Consumer Watchdog. The proposal reportedly applies regardless of how negligent the utility was, and it would be pursued in a special legislative session to be completed before Thanksgiving.

SACRAMENTO – November 02, 2026 -- Consumer Watchdog accused PG&E of using a threatened $2 billion delay in 2027 infrastructure investments, including electricity connections for 25,000 customers, as pressure on California lawmakers to weaken wildfire liability laws.

The advocacy group said the utility announced the cuts immediately after the Legislature declined to grant additional wildfire liability limits. PG&E is blaming lawmakers for its financing problems and warning that housing developments, renewable energy projects and other customers face delays.

Los Angeles – October 16, 2026 -- California approved 433 oil well drilling permits in the first nine months of 2026, a 277% jump over the 115 approved across all of 2023 through 2025, according to analysis by Consumer Watchdog and FracTracker Alliance of state data.

Approvals rose another 22.7% between the first half of the year and the first nine months. The figures come from the California Department of Geological Energy Management (CalGEM).

Sacramento – – September 23, 2026 -- Ten California home insurers have requested $571 million in combined rate increases under Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's climate-model rules while committing to sell only 12,000 new home insurance policies, according to an analysis of Department of Insurance filings by Consumer Watchdog.

Sacramento, Calif. – September 12, 2026 -- Consumer Watchdog has released a video accusing Pacific Gas & Electric of withholding $2 billion in already-funded infrastructure spending to pressure California lawmakers into approving liability relief legislation in a special session.