Restore sanity to public utilities

Regarding “No surprise — PG&E’s to blame” (Open Forum, May 17): Providing electricity is an inherently dangerous task, and society chooses to accept the risks for electric transmission because the benefits far outweigh the risks. No matter how diligently a utility maintains the lines, there will always be the risk of fire. To have our electric utility bludgeoned into bankruptcy with billions in lawsuits will only result in increased electricity costs for everyone in this state (the money has to come from somewhere, Pacific Gas and Electric Co. does not print the stuff ), and reduced quality and reliability of service.

Wildfires in California have been happening for millennia and are a known risk. People who build and live in heavily wooded areas have exposed themselves to this risk. This catastrophe could just as easily have been started by a lightning strike with the same results. While I am saddened by the loss of life, I do not believe we the ratepayers throughout the state should pay for their gamble, their loss. Who is looking out for our interests? A public utility, because it is providing a necessary service, needs a certain amount of immunity to provide service. Let’s restore that sanity to our system. Ed Richter, Redwood City