Background Circle Background Circle

California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric–and What It Means for America’s Power Grid


Price:
(as of – Details)

NATIONAL BESTSELLER
2022 Winner of the Golden Poppy Award for Nonfiction (California Independent Booksellers Alliance)

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 and 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 and 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.

From the Publisher

Diligent reporting and a clear focus make this a MUST-READ for anyone interested — Publishers WeeklyDiligent reporting and a clear focus make this a MUST-READ for anyone interested — Publishers Weekly

A compelling and heart-wrenching study — Kirkus Reviews. A compelling and heart-wrenching study — Kirkus Reviews.

A wild tale of old-school corporate malfeasance — Christopher LeonardA wild tale of old-school corporate malfeasance — Christopher Leonard

An absolutely fascinating tale highly recommended for anyone — T. Christian MillerAn absolutely fascinating tale highly recommended for anyone — T. Christian Miller

This should be required reading for everyone who cares about living safely — Elizabeth WeilThis should be required reading for everyone who cares about living safely — Elizabeth Weil

This book gracefully pulls together a complex story, whose consequences may never end — Jon MooallemThis book gracefully pulls together a complex story, whose consequences may never end — Jon Mooallem

Few of us know the plot. I learned something new on every page — Michael WebberFew of us know the plot. I learned something new on every page — Michael Webber

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Portfolio (August 30, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 059333065X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593330654
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.23 x 1.27 x 9.27 inches


Post Tags :
Prev Post

Next Post