PCWA, MFPFA Reach Settlement With PG&E
Auburn, Calif. – The Placer County Water Agency (PCWA) and the Middle Fork Project Finance Authority (MFPFA) have entered into a settlement agreement with Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Pacific Gas and Electric Corporation (collectively PG&E) resolving all litigation resulting from the 2022 Mosquito Fire.
The Mosquito Fire ignited on September 6, 2022, near Oxbow Reservoir outside Foresthill and burned approximately 76,788 acres across Placer and El Dorado counties. The fire resulted in PCWA's Middle Fork American River Hydroelectric Project (Project) being offline for approximately 6 months, interrupting power generation and impacting operations. The fire also caused damage to several PCWA facilities and surrounding natural resources affecting Project operations.
Transfer to MFPFA
As part of the settlement, PG&E will pay PCWA $80 million, which PCWA will then transfer to the MFPFA. The MFPFA is a joint powers authority responsible for budgeting and administering funds for the maintenance and operation of the Project.
In the settlement, PG&E has also committed to reconfiguring the electric system in areas where PG&E's infrastructure connects with PCWA's Project facilities, supporting ongoing efforts to enhance the safety and reliability of the energy grid.
PCWA and MFPFA were represented by Buchalter LLP, PCWA General Counsel Dan Kelly, and PCWA Deputy General Counsel and MFPFA Legal Counsel Elise Nelson. The case was mediated by Antonio Piazza of Mediated Negotiations.