THE FACTS

The Northern California wildfires of 2015-2018 were some of the most devastating wildfires in the history of California. In the span of only four years, 24 fires destroyed 23,000 homes and killed at least 130 people. 
 
While it is impossible to put a dollar figure on the true cost of the wildfires, damages are estimated to total $20 billion across more than 71,000 people, most of whom were underinsured, middle- and working- class families and retirees who continue to struggle to rebuild their lives.

In January 2019, PG&E filed for bankruptcy due to its liability for these fires. The Fire Victim Trust (FVT) was established in 2020 as part of the company’s bankruptcy reorganization plan to settle claims with the victims. 
 
However, only $14 billion is available through the FVT, leaving a nearly $6 billion shortfall. As a result, victims will only recover 70% of their losses through the FVT, but 70% is not enough. 

In response to the devastation caused by the 2015-2018 Northern California fires, California passed AB 1054, which created a $21 billion Wildfire Fund to fully compensate wildfire victims for their losses while protecting Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs), like PG&E, from going bankrupt due to wildfires in the future.

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However, the Wildfire Fund is only accessible to victims of fires that occurred after July 2019. 

The victims of the 2015-2018 Northern California fires – the very people whose experiences inspired AB 1054 in the first place – are the only wildfire victims in California who are not eligible to access the fund so that they can be made whole. 

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These individuals cannot be made whole simply because the fires that destroyed their homes, livelihoods, and communities happened before July 2019. This arbitrary cut-off unfairly punishes the victims of the 2015-2018 Northern California fires, many of whom have been unable to afford to rebuild their homes and replace their personal property.
 

Reforming AB 1054 to allow victims of the 2015-2018 Northern California fires to access the Wildfire Fund is not only the right thing to do; it is a simple and cost-effective solution.

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Opening the Fund to these wildfire victims will have zero impact on the state budget. It can also be done in a way that will not substantially affect the health of the Wildfire Fund or affect the IOUs’ credit ratings.

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The Wildfire Fund remains fully funded despite having been created five years ago. Thus, ratepayers and IOUs are contributing to a fund that is not being used, while those affected by the 2015-2018 fires struggle to rebuild their homes and communities.

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It is time to finally ensure that all California wildfire victims can be made whole for 100% of their losses. Take action today!