[Mat_Helm]

It gets even better as they fail to report why we did not have these devastating fires for 1920 until after 2010. Governor Brown and other Democrats cut the budget to trim trees and brush under power lines. The Energy commission likewise prevented PG&E from cutting trees and charging the rate payers for that needed work. Along with that they prevent normal forest harvest so the state is a tinder box. Last years fires were mostly arsen set but some were from downed power lines. PG&E gets sued out of business.

So this year they said screw you California, we are shutting the grid down in high wind so we don't get sued again for your government screw up!!!!

Notice the state did not force them to keep the lights on? Screwed up third world hell hole is now the norm in California.

[Regulator]

That is exactly right

[MrEdd]

They did have them.
I lived in Cali in 1980 and 1981.

[roadcat]

The Energy commission likewise prevented PG&E from cutting trees and charging the rate payers for that needed work.

Your entire post is 100 percent factual. State government created the problems that led to the devastating fires. PG&E forbidden from clearing trees and brush, as were homeowners. (Gotta save the lizards and bugs etc.) My wife worked for PG&E, and there were always complaints about the state PUC putting very restrictive handcuffs on PG&E from being proactive. State and local governments screwed everything up. So why shouldn't PG&E shut off the power so they won't get unfairly blamed again? Damn democrat governors.