# PG&E Warns CPUC Proposal Could Slash 5,000-Mile Undergrounding Plan to 1,100 Miles

> PG&E says a proposed CPUC decision on Senate Bill 884 could cut its 5,000-mile undergrounding plan to 1,100 miles, with a vote set for November 19.

- Published: 2026-11-07T03:15:57+00:00
- Section: Regulation & Approvals
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-11-07/pge-sb-884-undergrounding-cut
- Source: [PRESSBEE](https://eng.pressbee.net/show4961492.html?title=proposed-sb-884-implementation-would-reduce-undergrounding-of-pow)

## Key takeaways

- PG&E wants to bury 5,000 miles of power lines over the next decade at a cost of roughly $16 billion.
- The proposed CPUC decision could reduce that scope to as low as 1,100 miles, according to Matt Pender.
- The CPUC is scheduled to vote on the proposed decision on November 19.

PG&E said a proposed California Public Utilities Commission decision on how Senate Bill 884 is implemented could cut its plan to bury 5,000 miles of power lines to as low as 1,100 miles. The utility put the plan's cost at roughly $16 billion, or about $9 more per month for the average customer. [PressBee](https://eng.pressbee.net/show4961492.html?title=proposed-sb-884-implementation-would-reduce-undergrounding-of-pow) published the account.

## What the CPUC Proposal Would Change

California lawmakers passed Senate Bill 884 in 2022, creating an approval process for utilities to submit plans for burying lines in areas at high risk of wildfire. The commission is now weighing additional rules for those proposals. The proposed decision would prioritize high fire-risk areas and require comparisons between undergrounding and cheaper alternatives, such as protective coverings on overhead lines.

Matt Pender, PG&E's vice president of undergrounding and system hardening, said burying lines is the most efficient and cost-effective way to lower wildfire risk over the long term, despite the upfront expense. The company's plan covers northern and central California. "We appreciate there is a desire to see if a lower level of investment is appropriate in the nearterm, but we believe the plan we put forward is very prudent one for protecting communities, improving reliability and supporting reliability for the long term" Pender said.

PG&E is the utility serving northern and central California. Its parent, PG&E Corporation, reports results and guidance for the regulated business.

## Earlier PG&E Moves on Spending and Wildfire Costs

On November 2, 2026, Consumer Watchdog said PG&E's threat to delay $2 billion in infrastructure investments, including connections for 25,000 customers, amounted to bailout blackmail, according to PR Newswire. On October 29, 2026, The Mercury News reported that Google agreed to pay $150 million up-front to PG&E for a grid connection at its San Jose campus, covering 250 megawatts of demand. On October 22, 2026, PG&E reported third-quarter 2026 GAAP earnings per share of $0.34 and non-GAAP core earnings per share of $0.41, down from $0.37 and $0.50 a year earlier, and reaffirmed its 2026-2027 core guidance, according to TradingView.

## When the Commission Votes

The commission is set to vote on the proposed decision on November 19. The CPUC's proposal said the item will be added to its agenda 10 days before the scheduled vote. PG&E's [own site](http://www.pgecorp.com) carries the company's corporate information.

## Companies in this story

- PG&E · website: http://www.pgecorp.com

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