August 25, 2026
What Is the Proposed California Utility Bailout?
Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, and San Diego Gas & Electric have launched a campaign called “Wildfire Victims First,” which claims to be a framework for stronger fire prevention and faster recovery. But don’t be fooled by the name — this is a California utility bailout, and it’s being negotiated behind closed doors in Sacramento right now. The legislative session ends on August 31st and lawmakers are still fighting to see the actual bill language, which has not been released publicly.
Inside “Wildfire Victims First”: How Utilities Are Limiting Survivor Claims
Strip away the branding, and this campaign is about one thing: protecting utility profits. The campaign is paid for by the same utilities that are responsible for some of the most destructive fires in California history, and fire survivor advocates claim the campaign would limit what wildfire survivors can recover in damages — including compensation for business losses and emotional distress.
“This will create billions of dollars of more protection for the utilities that they don’t have to pay for wildfire victims in the future,” – Joy Chen, executive director of Every Fire Survivor’s Network.
How This Legislation Could Shape Future Wildfire Claims
The push to limit survivor recovery comes at a critical moment for families and business owners affected by the Eaton Fire. Many survivors are still working to rebuild their lives and recover losses tied to property damage, displacement, business interruption, and emotional trauma. If utility-backed legislation like “Wildfire Victims First” succeeds, it could significantly reduce the compensation available to wildfire survivors moving forward. If you were affected by the Eaton Fire, it’s worth understanding your legal options now — before any changes to California law take effect. Learn more about the Eaton Fire lawsuit and what compensation may be available to you.
What the Wildfire Bailout Legislation Leaves Out
Notice what’s missing from the utilities’ messaging. There’s no mention of:
- Taking stronger safety measures to prevent equipment from sparking catastrophic fires in the first place.
- Capping utility executive profits or shareholder payouts so survivors can receive full, fair compensation.
Instead, the conversation has been steered entirely toward limiting what survivors can claim — not toward preventing the next fire.
How California Wildfire Survivors and Advocates Are Fighting Back
A coalition of fire survivors, local governments, insurers, attorneys, and consumer groups has urged the legislature to reject the bailout. Advocates are countering with public awareness campaigns, working alongside grassroots advocacy groups like the Every Fire Survivor’s Network and Consumer Watchdog. Corey Gibbs attorney Amanda Riddle is a member of the Steering Committee to help “Stop The Utility Bailout” and hold Edison accountable.
How to Stop the California Utility Bailout: Contact Your Representatives
Utility companies have well-funded PR teams and lobbyists in Sacramento. Wildfire survivors have their voices — and those voices carry real weight with elected officials.
Take action today: call, share your story, and tell Sacramento to reject the utility bailout and put wildfire survivors first.
Lawmakers Supporting the Utility-Backed Proposal
Two state senators are leading the legislative push in favor of the utilities’ position. If you believe fire survivors’ interests should come before utility profits, call their offices directly:
- Senator Josh Becker: Capitol: (916) 651-4013 | District: (650) 233-2724
- Senator Henry Stern: Capitol: (916) 651-4027 | District: (818) 876-3352
California Leaders Opposing the Bailout and Standing with Eaton Fire Victims
On the other side, several legislators are standing with fire survivors and pushing back against the utility-backed bailout. A quick call to thank them goes a long way:
- Senator Sasha Perez: Capitol: (916) 651-4025 | District: (626) 304-1086
- Assemblymember John Harabedian: Capitol: (916) 319-2041 | District: (626) 351-1917