Maintain your independence – drive safe, drive sober

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Wherever people choose to observe Independence Day, they can expect the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to be out in force for a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) from 6 p.m. on Friday, July 3, to midnight, Sunday, July 5.

As California gradually reopens, many people will be eager to celebrate the holiday weekend with family and friends. To help reduce the risk and slow the spread of COVID-19, the California Department of Public Health is urging the public to avoid traveling long distances for vacations or pleasure as much as possible. However, if you decide to leave home, take steps to keep everyone safe like wearing face coverings, physical distancing, and washing hands frequently.

“Should the upcoming weekend include a road trip, stay safe and healthy with a few additional precautions,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Obeying speed limits, buckling up, and not driving impaired or distracted will be more important than ever.”

Traffic has been lighter on California roadways the past few months, which has resulted in an increase in citations for excessive speed. Motorists are encouraged to take their time this holiday weekend and arrive safely at their destination. During the recent Memorial Day MEP, CHP officers issued 458 citations for speeding in excess of 100 mph, which is a 173 percent increase from the same period in 2019.

The 2019 Independence Day MEP was 4 ¼ days, which was two days longer than the upcoming MEP. During that 102-hour enforcement effort, 36 people lost their lives in traffic crashes, 21 within CHP jurisdiction. Of those 21 individuals, 11 were not wearing seat belts. Additionally, CHP officers made 1,317 arrests for driving under the influence.

“However you choose to celebrate the weekend, do it without putting yourself or others at risk,” added Commissioner Stanley.

The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.

PG&E funds Fire Victim Trust with $5.4 billion in cash and common stock representing 22.19% ownership stake in PG&E Corporation

PG&E remains focused on commitments to transform PG&E for the long term

Governor signs bill giving state protection ensuring PG&E will be a safer utility 

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — PG&E Corporation (the “Corporation”) and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the “Utility,” together “PG&E”) announced Wednesday, July 1, 2020, that PG&E has emerged from Chapter 11, successfully completing its restructuring process and implementing PG&E’s Plan of Reorganization (“Plan”) that was confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court on June 20, 2020.

“Today’s announcement is significant for PG&E and for the many wildfire victims who are now one step closer to getting paid. Compensating these victims fairly and quickly has been our primary goal throughout these proceedings, and I am glad to say that today we funded the Fire Victim Trust for their benefit,” said Interim Chief Executive Officer, PG&E Corporation, Bill Smith. “This is an important milestone, but our work is far from over. Our emergence from Chapter 11 marks just the beginning of PG&E’s next era—as a fundamentally improved company and the safe, reliable utility that our customers, communities and California deserve.”

PG&E’s emergence from Chapter 11 is an important milestone on several fronts:

• PG&E has implemented the settlement and resolution of all wildfire claims pursuant to the Plan;
• PG&E has elected to participate in the State’s go-forward wildfire fund;
• PG&E Corporation has seated its new Board of Directors;
• PG&E is moving forward with commitments regarding its governance, operations, and financial structure to further prioritize safety; and
• As a result of the Chapter 11 proceedings, PG&E has retired expensive, high-coupon debt and replaced it with lower-cost debt, yielding significant annual savings for customers over the duration of the debt, estimated to be approximately $250 million annually.

Payment of Wildfire Settlements

Pursuant to the Plan—which was confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, and accepted by more than 85% of fire victims who cast votes on it—all negotiated settlements of wildfire claims have been implemented as provided in the Plan.

In accordance with the Plan, PG&E has now funded the Fire Victim Trust established to satisfy the claims of individual wildfire victims and others. The Fire Victim Trust funding schedule is as follows: $5.4 billion in cash on the Plan effective date, which was July 1, 2020; an additional $1.35 billion in cash in two installments in 2021 and 2022; PG&E Corporation common stock on the Plan effective date representing 22.19% of the outstanding common stock as of such date (subject to potential adjustments); plus certain other rights. A $700 million payment scheduled for 2022 will be accelerated if the CPUC approves the rate-neutral securitization application PG&E filed on April 30, 2020.

The Fire Victim Trust will be administered by the Fire Victim Trustee and Claims Administrator, both of whom have been approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Neither the Trustee, the Hon. John K. Trotter (Ret.), nor the Claims Administrator, Cathy Yanni, is associated with PG&E Corporation or the Utility. The Fire Victim Trust is solely responsible for administering, reviewing and satisfying all Fire Victim Claims. The Fire Victim Trust has adopted claims resolution procedures for the administration and resolution of Fire Victim Claims. Neither PG&E Corporation nor the Utility will have any role or responsibility in the administration of the Fire Victim Trust. The Fire Victim Trust’s website, which is maintained by the Claims Administrator, can be found at www.firevictimtrust.com.

In addition to funding the Fire Victim Trust, PG&E has also now funded two additional wildfire settlements, paying approximately $1 billion to satisfy the wildfire claims of certain cities, counties, and other public entities, and paying an $11 billion settlement to insurance companies and other entities that paid claims by individuals and businesses related to wildfires in recent years.

Participation in State Wildfire Fund

Today’s announcement also confirms PG&E’s participation in California’s go-forward wildfire fund established by AB 1054. PG&E today deposited approximately $5 billion in the Wildfire Fund, representing PG&E’s initial and first annual contributions.

New Board of Directors

As announced last month, PG&E Corporation’s newly appointed Board of Directors is now officially in place along with the Corporation’s new Interim CEO, Bill Smith, who officially took over from outgoing CEO, Bill Johnson, effective July 1, 2020. The new Board consists of 14 members, 11 of whom are new. The Board members bring substantial expertise in key areas including utility operations and management, safety and environment, risk management, customer engagement, innovation and technology, regulatory affairs (state and federal), audit and finance, corporate governance, nuclear operations and decommissioning, and human capital and executive compensation. In addition, six of the 11 new directors are from California and have made their careers in the state, gaining extensive knowledge of the communities PG&E serves and the political, social, and physical environment in which PG&E operates.

“We know that actions speak louder than words. As new Interim CEO and on behalf of PG&E’s newly appointed Board, I can assure you we are fully committed to continuing to implement comprehensive and meaningful changes to position PG&E for the long term,” said Smith.

Implementation of Plan Commitments to Further Enhance Safety and Improve PG&E’s Ability to Serve its Customers and Communities for the Long Term

As part of its Plan, PG&E made a series of commitments, some of which are already underway, regarding its governance, operations, and financial structure, all designed to further prioritize safety. PG&E made these commitments working with the Governor’s Office and incorporating guidance from CPUC President Batjer, which was included in the full Commission’s approval of the Plan.

The commitments include:

• Supported the CPUC’s enactment of measures to strengthen PG&E’s governance and operations, including enhanced regulatory oversight and enforcement that provides course-correction tools as well as stronger enforcement if it becomes necessary;
• Began hosting a state-appointed observer to provide the state with insight into PG&E’s progress on safety goals;
• Appointing an independent safety monitor when the term of the court-appointed Federal Monitor expires;
• Establishing newly expanded roles of Chief Risk Officer and Chief Safety Officer, with both reporting directly to the PG&E Corporation CEO;
• Formed an Independent Safety Oversight Committee to provide independent review of operations, including compliance, safety leadership, and operational performance;
• Assumed all collective bargaining agreements with labor unions, pension obligations, and other employee obligations, and all power purchase agreements and Community Choice Aggregation servicing agreements;
• Reformed executive compensation to further tie it to safety performance and customer experience;
• A commitment that PG&E Corporation will not reinstate a common stock dividend until it has recognized $6.2 billion in non-GAAP core earnings;
• Filed a proposal with the CPUC requesting a rate-neutral $7.5 billion securitization transaction after PG&E emerges from Chapter 11 in order to finance costs in an efficient manner that benefits customers and accelerates payment to wildfire victims; and
• Committing not to seek recovery in customer rates of any portion of the amounts that will be paid to victims of the 2015, 2017, and 2018 wildfires under the Plan when PG&E emerges from Chapter 11 (except through the rate-neutral securitization transaction).

Also on July 1, 2020, PG&E implemented the Noteholder Restructuring Support Agreement including implementation of the debt exchange, the reinstatement and collateralization of certain debt, and payment of accrued interest under the Plan. The exchange and reinstatement of debt and distributions of accrued interest to noteholders will be completed as soon as practicable.  Questions can be directed to PG&E’s administrative agent, Prime Clerk LLC, by emailing pgeballots@primeclerk.com. More information can also be found at https://restructuring.primeclerk.com/pge/.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This news release includes forward-looking statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the beliefs, expectations, estimates, future plans and strategies of PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, including but not limited to, statements about the Fire Victim Trust, implementation of commitments made in connection with the Plan, including governance, operational and financial commitments, estimated annual cost savings to customers resulting from emergence funding, and commitments and expectations, including timing, related to the payment of any dividends. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, which management believes are reasonable, and on information currently available to management, but are necessarily subject to various risks and uncertainties. In addition to the risk that these assumptions prove to be inaccurate, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include factors disclosed in PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s joint annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, their joint quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, and their subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are available on PG&E Corporation’s website at www.pgecorp.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Additional factors include, but are not limited to, those associated with the Chapter 11 cases of PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company that commenced on January 29, 2019. PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether due to new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

Governor signs bill giving state protection ensuring PG&E will be a safer utility 

Following 18 months of unprecedented state intervention to transform PG&E and put safety, reliability and its customers at the center of its business model, on Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 350, which protects California by giving the state the authority to hold PG&E accountable if the company fails to adhere to public safety policies, and to put safety, reliability and its customers at the center of its business model.

SB 350 builds on the framework set up by AB 1054, which was signed in July 2019, as well as on requirements set in motion by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the bankruptcy court and most importantly, by the Governor’s push for fundamental changes to transform PG&E into a utility that is reliable and accountable to its customers and to all Californians.

“No more business as usual for PG&E,” said Governor Newsom. “As we head into wildfire season amid a pandemic, Californians need to have confidence that their utility is focused on customer safety – preventing wildfire sparks and making critical safety upgrades. SB 350 marks a critical step in the transformation of PG&E into a utility that is accountable to those it serves – the people of California. I would like to recognize and thank the Legislature for taking action on this important legislation.”

SB 350, by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), is being signed one day before PG&E is expected to conclude the bankruptcy case it filed in January 2019. The state won key victories in the company’s reorganization plan as a result of its intervention. These included sweeping governance and operational reforms, including a newly constituted board of directors, and billions of additional benefits to ratepayers, victims and the people of California. The state’s involvement also ensured that the company emerged from bankruptcy in a position to make massive upgrades necessary to deliver safe, reliable, clean electricity, and to swiftly compensate victims.

The California Public Utilities Commission approved PG&E’s bankruptcy plan on May 28 in a decision that placed enforceable requirements on PG&E to meet the mandates of AB 1054.

About PG&E Corporation

PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) is a holding company headquartered in San Francisco. It is the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, an energy company that serves 16 million Californians across a 70,000-square-mile service area in Northern and Central California. Each of PG&E Corporation and the Utility is a separate entity, with distinct creditors and claimants, and is subject to separate laws, rules and regulations. For more information, visit pgecorp.com.

“the more we come together in groups, the more COVID-19 spreads in the community.” – Dr. Chris Farnitano

By Allen Payton

In a rather ironic announcement Thursday, with reports of COVID-19 spreading rapidly in many Bay Area neighborhoods, members of the Association of Bay Area Health Officers (ABAHO) representing thirteen jurisdictions, urge residents to protect themselves and the community by celebrating Independence Day while remaining at home, under what amounts to house arrest, during the July 4th holiday weekend.

The Fourth of July, the day on which we as a nation celebrate the declaration of our independence from the tyrannical rule of England’s King George III, with his oppressive regulations and taxation, is traditionally a time to celebrate with firework shows, parades and cookouts. But this year the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in many community leaders cancelling public events. Gatherings with others from outside your household, such as members of the extended family, are also considered potentially risky, according to the Association of Bay Area Health Officials (ABAHO).

Health officers from across the greater Bay Area say staying home this year is a healthy choice.

“Nobody wants to be cooped up, or to miss out on the holiday,” said Dr. Chris Farnitano, Contra Costa County Health Officer, a member of ABAHO. “But the more we come together in groups, the more COVID-19 spreads in the community. And the more it spreads, the more it endangers older adults and others at high risk of serious illness.”

So, instead of merely requiring those older adults and others at high risk to stay home, he wants all of us to.

“You can spread COVID-19 even if you don’t feel that sick,” the ABAHO explained in a their press release announcement. “You can pass the disease to someone else before you have symptoms, and even if you never develop any symptoms at all. When infected people come in contact with others who are high-risk, there can be deadly consequences.”

Those deadly consequences have so far amounted to 78 deaths out of 1,115,000 residents in Contra Costa County, or one death in every 14,300 people. Currently there are a total of 41 patients with the virus in our hospitals and not all of them are from our county. At the same time, some county residents who have tested positive are in hospitals in Alameda County. In addition, according to the Contra Costa Health Services Coronavirus Dashboard, as of today at 11:30 a.m. a total of 76,139 people have been tested in our county and 3,326 have contracted the virus. The good news is, to date, 2,311 who have tested positive in Contra Costa have recovered, which means there are currently 896 residents in our county who have the virus and should be staying home under self-quarantine.

Yet because of the risks they have outlined, Bay Area health officers recommend people who are not members of the same household remain physically distant. Unless you choose to follow the county’s guidelines for sexual activity, which can be found, here and recommend that “If you do have sex with others, have as few partners as possible.”

According to the ABAHO, the best ways to protect yourself and slow the spread of COVID-19 include:

• Continuing to stay home as much as possible
• Practicing physical distancing outside the home
• Wearing face coverings or masks when outside your home
• Avoiding gatherings with people outside your immediate household – (even though Contra Costa allows gathering in groups of 12 people, and as many as 100 if you’re attending an outdoor or indoor worship service or protest. So, be sure if you’re number 101 or more, to please leave and either worship or protest on your own.
• Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently
• Staying home from work, school or daycare if you feel sick

Bay Area residents who have symptoms are also encouraged to get tested for COVID-19, and to do so immediately. Check with your local health department for more information about testing and about efforts in your community to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, please visit cchealth.org/coronavirus.

ABOUT THE ABAHO

The Association of Bay Area Health Officials (ABAHO) represents health officers and other public health professionals from thirteen jurisdictions. ABAHO coordinates and communicates regional messages to save lives, promote and protect health, prevent injury and illness, and improve wellness in the region’s diverse communities. According to an article on CaliforniaHealthLine.org “The alliance, formally called the Association of Bay Area Health Officials, was born in 1985 in the early days of the AIDS epidemic.” That article, entitled “The Inside Story Of How The Bay Area Got Ahead Of The COVID-19 Crisis”, is dated April 21, 2020 a week after Contra Costa experienced it’s peak, so far, of 44 Coronavirus patients in county hospitals on April 14.

The members of the ABAHO and other government leaders have returned us to the days before 1776 with even more oppressive regulations than those of King George, III – who still allowed the colonists to freely worship, go to work, operate their businesses (unless they were seditious newspaper publishers), earn a living, and go about their daily lives – while instilling fear into the populace about the virus, as well as by releasing inmates from federal and state prisons, and county jails, and increasing the national debt in order to keep providing unemployment payments, grants and loans (with interest, further burdening business owners) to most, but not all those who qualify and have been approved, yet who are still waiting to receive even a penny from either the state or federal government, while at the same time allowing the homeless, protesters, looters, vandals, Antifa members, and CHOP and CHAZ residents to enjoy maximum freedom, in effect guaranteeing only to them the full exercise of the freedoms enumerated in the Bill of Rights, while restricting most of the rest of us from enjoying them.

Enjoy celebrating your freedom on Saturday!

By Antioch Police Department

Last night, Wednesday, July 1, 2020 around 1:00 am, our graveyard officers were patrolling in the area of Yosemite and Hill Drive. The officers were providing extra patrol in the neighborhood due to reports of vehicle burglaries occurring in the area. During their patrol, they observed a male had his head inside the open window of a parked car.

The officers found this behavior suspicious and stopped to have a conversation with him. During the conversation, they found that the gentleman had a warrant for his arrest for being a parolee at large and on the floorboard of the vehicle he was leaning into, there was a loaded handgun.

The male was arrested for weapons charges as well as the warrant and was given a free ride to county jail!

SACRAMENTO — On Tuesday, June 30, 2020 California Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order extending authorization for local governments to halt evictions for renters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, through September 30. Currently Contra Costa County’s urgency ordinance preventing evictions and rent increases expires on July 15.

The order also addresses a variety of issues in response to the pandemic, by extending provisions in earlier orders which allow adults to obtain marriage licenses via videoconferencing rather than in-person during the pandemic; waive eligibility re-determinations for Californians who participate in Medi-Cal, to ensure they maintain their health coverage; suspend face-to-face visits for eligibility for foster care; and permit In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program caseworkers to continue caring for older adults and individuals with disabilities through video-conferencing assessments.

The order also extends waivers temporarily broadening the capability of counties to enroll persons into the California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKs) program, allowing for self-attestation of pregnancy and conditions of eligibility, and waiving in-person identification requirements.

In addition, the order extends provisions allowing for mail-in renewals of driver’s licenses and identification cards, to limit in-person transactions at the Department of Motor Vehicles, and extends timeframes related to the payment of real estate license application and renewal fees and continuing education requirements for licensees.

The text of the Governor’s executive order can be found here and a copy can be found here.