Company: SREA
Filing Date: 2025-02-25
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001032208-25-000012
Chunk: 209

Company: SEMPRA
Filing Date: 2025-02-25
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1
Chunk 209
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 in their respective service territories, any of which could have a material adverse effect on Sempra’s and SDG&E’s results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and/or prospects. PG&E is seeking reimbursement from the Wildfire Fund for losses associated with the Dixie Fire, which burned from July 2021 through October 2021. In addition, fires of the size and scope of the recent LA Fires, if found to have been caused by a participating IOU, could have a material adverse effect on the Wildfire Fund. In the case of the LA fires, the causes of these fires have not been determined and therefore these fires may not impact the Wildfire Fund. 

In addition, the Wildfire Legislation did not change the doctrine of inverse condemnation, which imposes strict liability (meaning that liability is imposed regardless of fault) on a utility whose equipment is determined to be a cause of a fire. In such an event, the utility would be responsible for the costs of damages, including business interruption losses, interest and attorneys’ fees, even if the utility is not found negligent. In the past, the CPUC has denied recovery of incurred costs associated with wildfire claims despite the doctrine of inverse condemnation, which was historically based on the ability of a utility to pass such costs through to rate payers. The doctrine of inverse condemnation also is not exclusive of other theories of liability, such as negligence, under which additional liabilities, such as fire suppression, clean-up and evacuation costs, medical expenses, and personal injury, punitive and other damages, could be imposed. We are unable to predict the impact of the Wildfire Legislation on SDG&E’s ability to recover costs and expenses if SDG&E’s equipment is determined to be a cause of a fire, and specifically in the context of the application of inverse condemnation.

Cost Recovery Through Insurance or Rates

As a result of California’s doctrine of inverse condemnation, substantial losses recorded by insurance companies, and increased wildfire risk, obtaining insurance coverage for wildfires potentially associated with SDG&E’s equipment (or, to a lesser extent, SoCalGas) has become increasingly difficult and costly. If these conditions continue or worsen, including as a result of the LA Fires, insurance for wildfire liabilities may become unavailable or may become prohibitively expensive and we may be denied recovery of insurance cost increases through the regulatory process. In addition, insurance for wildfire liabilities may not be sufficient to cover all losses we may incur, or it may not be available to meet the $1.0 billion of primary insurance required by the Wild