Just before dawn on November 8, 2018 in the rugged terrain of the Feather River Canyon a cable harness on a Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) transmission line failed. Worn by wear the part simply snapped under the stress of high winds and the high voltage cable it supported fell into contact with the steel tower. The result was electrical arcing that generated temperatures estimated to be between 5,000 and 10,000 degrees, literally melting sections of steel on the tower. It was the liquified metal falling to the ground that started one of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history.

In all 85 people would die, most running for their lives. The investigation that followed clearly showed not only that PG&E’s equipment has failed but that it was a failure waiting to happen due to poor maintenance. In less than 60 days from the start of the Camp Fire PG&E, faced with the prospect of substantial liability and major litigation filed for bankruptcy to protect its assets.

Ultimately PG&E would be charged with and convicted of 84 counts of involuntary manslaughter. It wasn’t the first time. Eight years earlier on September 9, 2010 in the Crestmoor residential neighborhood of San Bruno, California a PG&E natural gas pipeline, 30 inches in diameter, for which investigators would later determine there were inadequate safety measures exploded. The explosion killed 8 people, injured 58 others and opened a crater 167 feet wide and 40 feet deep under what had been a sidewalk.

PG&E would stand trial. This from the Obama Department of Justice, “PG&E was convicted of six felony charges connected to the 2010 San Bruno pipeline explosion, including multiple willful violations of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act and obstruction of an agency proceeding.” In all PG&E had to pay an estimated $565 million in fines and settlements in connection with the disaster. For PG&E it was the cost of doing business.

You don’t get to be the biggest energy utility in America without state partnership. If PG&E wants a rate hike they turn to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). If PG&E needs favorable legislation they turn to the legislature. PG&E doesn’t exist or continue to exist without the active support of the state of California.

Former California Attorney General Xavier Becerra got into the race to become California’s 41st Governor late. He announced on April 2nd. At that stage of the race Congressman Eric Swalwell was leading the race by a significant margin given the number of Democrats in the field. On April 10th allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell surfaced and within 72 hours his political career was over.

By the time the first poll was taken after Swalwel’s departure Becerra was already the font runner. As a former Attorney General and Congressman Becerra was fairly well known and established, but not to the extent that he would have that kind acceptance out of the gate, he just wasn’t that popular. In addition he had baggage. He was often accused to being too close to the energy lobby. This report by factually chronicles on its own and through citations from other news sources the significant financial contributions Becerra receives from energy companies doing business in California.

Key takeaways, “Xavier Becerra received the most contributions from utilities and labor unions that represent utility employees over the course of his career.” Including $39,200 from Chevron and nearly $250,000 from various utilities around the state. But the number that really stands out is what PG&E invested in negative ads against Tom Steyer, an estimated $10 million dollars. That’s power, that’s money, that’s influence on a frightening scale.

California on average pays the highest combined energy costs of any state in the U.S. Clearly the energy lobby is investing heavily to steer the course of upcoming gubernatorial election. The big question is how easily can the voters of the state be manipulated? Can the energy producers hoodwink the state’s voters into voting against their own best interests? Just voting Democratic is not enough. If the voters of the state of California want policies that address their best interests they must do their homework and vote in their best interests. Time is short, decision day is coming.