California burning: the fall of Pacific Gas and Electric--and what it means for America's power grid
(Book)

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Average Rating
Published:
[New York] : Portfolio/Penguin, [2022].
Format:
Book
Physical Desc:
xiii, 350 pages ; 24 cm
Status:
Description

"A revelatory, urgent narrative with national implications, exploring the decline of California's largest utility company that led to countless wildfires - including the one that destroyed the town of Paradise - and the human cost of infrastructure failure Pacific Gas & Electric was a legacy company built by innovators and visionaries, establishing California as a desirable home and economic powerhouse. In California Burning, Wall Street Journal reporter and Pulitzer finalist Katherine Blunt examines how that legacy fell apart-unraveling a long history of deadly failures in which Pacific Gas & Electric endangered millions of Northern Californians, through criminal neglect of its infrastructure. As PG&E prioritized profits and politics, power lines went unchecked-until a rusted hook purchased for 56 cents in 1921 split in two, sparking the deadliest wildfire in California history. Beginning with PG&E's public reckoning after the Paradise fire, Blunt chronicles the evolution of PG&E's shareholder base, from innovators who built some of California's first long-distance power lines to aggressive investors keen on reaping dividends. Following key players through pivotal decisions and legal battles, California Burning reveals the forces that shaped the plight of PG&E: deregulation and market-gaming led by Enron Corp., an unyielding push for renewable energy, and a swift increase in wildfire risk throughout the West, while regulators and lawmakers pushed their own agendas. California Burning is a deeply reported, character-driven narrative, the story of a disaster expanding into a much bigger exploration of accountability. It's an American tragedy that serves as a cautionary tale for utilities across the nation-especially as climate change makes aging infrastructure more vulnerable, with potentially fatal consequences"--

Also in This Series
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Location
Call Number
Status
East Hampton Adult Nonfiction
333.793 BLU
Due Apr 6, 2024
Location
Call Number
Status
Hamden/Miller Adult Nonfiction 3rd Floor
333.793/BLU
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More Like This
More Details
Language:
English
ISBN:
9780593330654, 059333065X

Notes

Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 305-340) and index.
Description
"A revelatory, urgent narrative with national implications, exploring the decline of California's largest utility company that led to countless wildfires - including the one that destroyed the town of Paradise - and the human cost of infrastructure failure Pacific Gas & Electric was a legacy company built by innovators and visionaries, establishing California as a desirable home and economic powerhouse. In California Burning, Wall Street Journal reporter and Pulitzer finalist Katherine Blunt examines how that legacy fell apart-unraveling a long history of deadly failures in which Pacific Gas & Electric endangered millions of Northern Californians, through criminal neglect of its infrastructure. As PG&E prioritized profits and politics, power lines went unchecked-until a rusted hook purchased for 56 cents in 1921 split in two, sparking the deadliest wildfire in California history. Beginning with PG&E's public reckoning after the Paradise fire, Blunt chronicles the evolution of PG&E's shareholder base, from innovators who built some of California's first long-distance power lines to aggressive investors keen on reaping dividends. Following key players through pivotal decisions and legal battles, California Burning reveals the forces that shaped the plight of PG&E: deregulation and market-gaming led by Enron Corp., an unyielding push for renewable energy, and a swift increase in wildfire risk throughout the West, while regulators and lawmakers pushed their own agendas. California Burning is a deeply reported, character-driven narrative, the story of a disaster expanding into a much bigger exploration of accountability. It's an American tragedy that serves as a cautionary tale for utilities across the nation-especially as climate change makes aging infrastructure more vulnerable, with potentially fatal consequences"--,Provided by publisher.
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Citations
APA Citation (style guide)

Blunt, K. (2022). California burning: the fall of Pacific Gas and Electric--and what it means for America's power grid. [New York], Portfolio/Penguin.

Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)

Blunt, Katherine. 2022. California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric--and What It Means for America's Power Grid. [New York], Portfolio/Penguin.

Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)

Blunt, Katherine, California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric--and What It Means for America's Power Grid. [New York], Portfolio/Penguin, 2022.

MLA Citation (style guide)

Blunt, Katherine. California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric--and What It Means for America's Power Grid. [New York], Portfolio/Penguin, 2022.

Note! Citation formats are based on standards as of July 2022. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy.
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Grouped Work ID:
710339f8-2a90-3967-38ee-132dda76d564
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Record Information

Last Sierra Extract TimeMar 23, 2024 11:29:09 AM
Last File Modification TimeMar 23, 2024 11:29:24 AM
Last Grouped Work Modification TimeMar 23, 2024 11:29:15 AM

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