Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) was in the spotlight back in 2021 on a show called “American Greed” (IMBD).
California’s largest utility provider, and its alleged role in sparking catastrophic wildfires that ravaged communities across the state.
This installment of the CNBC documentary series dives deep into accusations of negligence, corporate mismanagement, and a relentless pursuit of profit that critics claim came at the expense of public safety.
PG&E’s Role in California’s Wildfires
At the heart of “Burned by Greed” is the assertion that PG&E’s outdated infrastructure and failure to prioritize safety were key contributors to some of California’s most devastating wildfires.
The episode zeroes in on incidents like the 2018 Camp Fire, which obliterated the town of Paradise, killed 85 people, and destroyed over 15,000 homes.
Investigators traced the blaze back to a faulty PG&E transmission line, where a worn-out piece of equipment—overdue for replacement—sent sparks into dry brush during high winds. This wasn’t an isolated incident.
Since 2017, PG&E has been linked to more than 30 wildfires that collectively claimed over 100 lives and wiped out tens of thousands of homes and businesses.
Critics argue that the company’s aging power lines, poor maintenance practices, and reluctance to shut off power during dangerous weather conditions created a deadly recipe for disaster.
The episode highlights how PG&E allegedly diverted funds meant for infrastructure upgrades to other priorities.
Instead of burying power lines in high-risk areas or clearing vegetation near equipment, resources were reportedly funneled into executive bonuses and shareholder dividends.
This pattern of neglect, according to the whistleblower featured in the show, stemmed from a corporate culture that placed financial gain over the well-being of the communities it served.
Money Schemes: A Question of Priorities
The episode suggests that the company engaged in a form of fiscal misdirection by underspending on critical safety measures.
For instance, over a 15-year period, PG&E reportedly failed to use $246 million budgeted for power line maintenance, instead redirecting significant sums—$100 million—to executive compensation and $4.5 million to shareholders.
Even as the company faced mounting wildfire liabilities in 2019, it awarded $16 million in bonuses to its leadership team. These decisions, while not illegal laundering, fueled accusations of greed and mismanagement, painting a picture of a corporation more focused on rewarding its elite than safeguarding its customers.
Fines, Convictions, and Legal Fallout
PG&E’s negligence didn’t go unpunished, though some argue the penalties fell short of true accountability.
The American Greed episode details how the company faced significant legal consequences for its role in the wildfires.
In 2020, PG&E pleaded guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter for the Camp Fire, along with one count of unlawfully starting a fire, agreeing to pay a maximum fine of $3.5 million—a sum critics decried as paltry given the scale of the tragedy.
This wasn’t the company’s first brush with the law; in 2016, it was convicted of felonies related to a 2010 gas explosion in San Bruno that killed eight people, resulting in five years of federal probation.
Beyond the Camp Fire, PG&E has faced a slew of settlements and fines. In 2022, it agreed to pay $55 million to avoid criminal prosecution for the 2019 Kincade Fire and 2021 Dixie Fire, which together destroyed thousands of structures.
The Dixie Fire alone burned nearly 1 million acres, making it one of California’s largest wildfires. Additionally, a $117 million settlement was reached with former executives in connection to the 2017 North Bay fires and the Camp Fire, funds intended to compensate victims through a trust established after PG&E’s 2019 bankruptcy filing.
That bankruptcy came after the company negotiated a $13.5 billion settlement with wildfire survivors—a payout that, as of 2025, has yet to be fully distributed.
Voices of the Victims
The human toll of PG&E’s alleged negligence is palpable in “Burned by Greed,” as victims share their harrowing stories. One survivor of the Camp Fire recounted losing everything—home, possessions, and a sense of security—when flames engulfed Paradise. “They should not have had to go through that. No one should,” said a grieving father who lost his wife and young daughter in the 2020 Zogg Fire, which killed four people after a tree fell on PG&E lines.
Another victim, displaced by the 2017 Tubbs Fire, expressed frustration over the slow pace of compensation, noting, “The attorneys are getting paid, but how much is coming out of our pockets?” These statements underscore the lingering pain and distrust felt by those who hold PG&E accountable for upending their lives.
Did PG&E Start Every Fire?
While PG&E has been implicated in numerous wildfires, “Burned by Greed” acknowledges that not every blaze can be pinned on the utility.
California’s wildfire crisis is a complex beast, fueled by climate change, overgrown forests, and extreme weather. The episode notes that some fires, like those sparked by lightning or human error, fall outside PG&E’s control.
However, the company’s critics argue that its failure to modernize infrastructure or implement preventive measures—like burying lines or enhancing vegetation management—exacerbates the risk, making it a culpable player even in fires it didn’t directly ignite.
PG&E Today: Changes and Challenges
As of March 9, 2025, PG&E remains a major player in California’s energy landscape, but its reputation is tarnished, and its operations are under intense scrutiny.
Post-bankruptcy, the company has undergone reforms, including a revamped board of directors and commitments to invest billions in safety upgrades.
It’s now subject to oversight from independent monitors, a condition of settlements like the $55 million deal for the Kincade and Dixie fires. PG&E has also begun burying power lines in high-risk areas and installing weather stations to better predict fire hazards—steps hailed as progress but criticized as overdue.
Regulation changes have followed PG&E’s scandals. California tightened utility safety requirements, tying executive pay to performance metrics and empowering the state to dissolve PG&E if it fails to comply.
Yet, some experts worry these measures don’t go far enough to address systemic issues or prevent future disasters. The company’s financial health remains precarious, with billions in liabilities still looming, though a state-backed insurance fund helps offset some costs.
The Palisades Fire Connection
The recent Palisades Fire, which scorched parts of Los Angeles in early 2025, has reignited questions about utility accountability.
Unlike many Northern California wildfires, this blaze fell within the service area of Southern California Edison (SCE), not PG&E. Early reports suggest it may have started from a small fire that rekindled amid fierce winds, with no definitive link to PG&E equipment.
However, the American Greed episode’s broader narrative—highlighting the dangers of neglected utility infrastructure—resonates with ongoing investigations into SCE’s potential role, underscoring a statewide challenge that transcends any single company.
A Cautionary Legacy
“Burned by Greed” isn’t just a tale of corporate missteps; it’s a warning about the consequences of prioritizing profit over responsibility. PG&E’s story, as told through this gripping episode, reflects a struggle to balance energy demands with safety in an era of escalating climate risks.
While the company has taken steps toward redemption, the scars of its past—etched in the memories of victims and the ashes of lost communities—serve as a stark reminder of what’s at stake.
For Californians, the question remains: can a utility once burned by greed rise from the ashes to protect the state it serves?
Where to watch “Burned by Greed”?
The “Burned by Greed” episode of American Greed is from Season 14, Episode 197. You can watch it online through several platforms, depending on your subscription or access:
NBC.com, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, fuboTV.
Check these platforms for availability, as it may depend on your region and current licensing. Some services might offer free trials if you’re not already subscribed.
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