PG&E Corp. is getting support from the U.S. Justice Department in its request to hold off on implementing stricter and potentially costly safety measures until they’re fully evaluated.
U.S. District Judge William Alsup had ordered PG&E to hire, on its own payroll, an in-house team to spot-check the work of contractors who trim vegetation at risk of causing wildfires, and to take other safety measures. He put the order on hold though and gave the utility a May 28 deadline to submit a detailed plan.
PG&E is resisting Alsup’s order and is scheduled to present its arguments at a hearing also on May 28. On Thursday, the company got backing from federal prosecutors.