PG&E Bills Will Go up by More Than $32 per Month Next Year in Part to Pay for Wildfire Protections

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—About 16 million people in California will see their electric and gas bills go up by an average of more than $32 per month over next year in part so that one of the nation’s largest utility companies can bury more of its power line s to reduce the chances of starting wildfires. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) had initially asked state regulators for permission to raise rates by more than $38 per month so it could bury 2,100 miles of power lines in areas that are at high risk for wildfires. But consumer advocacy groups complained, arguing PG&E could save ratepayers money and still reduce wildfire risk by putting a protective covering over the power lines instead of burying them....