Who Should Pay When Utilities Companies Start a Fire?
Summary
KQED’s Forum examines a last-minute legislative deal between Governor Newsom and lawmakers regarding liability for utility-caused wildfires. The agreement restricts hedge funds from buying insurance claims and creates faster victim payments but falls short of Newsom’s goal to shift costs to insurers. Guests Guy Marerati, Michael Warren, and Joy Chen discuss the political challenges, the depleted Wildfire Fund, and the ongoing debate over who should bear the financial burden of climate-driven disasters.
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