Utilities Spent $366 Million to Secure California Wildfire Bailout

The report from Consumer Watchdog details how Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and Sempra Energy funneled $127.6 million into government influence, including $66.8 million in campaign contributions and $60.8 million in lobbying efforts. An additional $238.9 million in charitable giving helped forge institutional ties with nonprofits that now form the backbone of the utility-backed "Wildfire Victims First" coalition.

Financial records indicate that utilities directed nearly $1 million toward Governor Newsom’s campaigns and initiatives, while concentrating over $1.9 million in contributions among legislative leadership. This spending peaked during the 2025-2026 session, with lobbying expenditures hitting record highs. According to Consumer Watchdog, the strategy aims to shift the financial burden of wildfire liability from utility shareholders onto taxpayers and survivors. The report also flags conflicts of interest regarding the SB 254 study—a key document justifying the bailout—noting that the firms commissioned to write it previously worked for Southern California Edison on wildfire compensation matters.