PG&E Witness

The Sprint Executive Team - what a mess

Pete BennettJanuary 13, 2022 No comments

The Sprint Executive Team is rated a "C+" and led by CEO Michel Combes. Sprint employees rate their Executive Team in the Top 50% of similar size companies on Comparably with 10,000+ Employees.

The Admin department and Native American employees are more confident in their Executive Team, while the Communications department and the Marketing department think there is room for improvement. Out of their 4 competitors, T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Parallel Wireless, Sprint's score ranks in 2nd place.

Last updated months ago.

Where This Score Ranks Sprint's Executive Team

TOP
50%
In the Top 50% of 1210 Similar Sized Companies on Comparably
2nd
2nd place versus 4 competitors rated on Comparably

Feb

Mar

Apr

Jul

Oct

C+66 / 100

Jan

Sprint Key Executives

Name & Title

Bio

Kirkland & Ellis LLP - Obfuscation of the truth

Pete BennettJanuary 12, 2022 No comments

An independent monitor concluded that while PG&E Corp. and beleaguered subsidiary Pacific Gas and Electric Co. have improved natural gas operations since 2017, wildfire mitigation missteps and executive turnover remain enormous hurdles to adequate performance.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP, which was appointed as the utility's federal monitor in 2017 following a U.S. National Transportation Safety Board investigation of the 2010 San Bruno pipeline blast, applauded decreasing gas overpressure events and the utility's enhanced response to them. On the electric side, however, speeding up efforts to prevent wildfire fatalities still requires a more "substantial" and faster approach, the law firm said Nov. 19.

Specifically, the monitor pointed out that PG&E Corp. CEO Patti Poppe's plan to bury 10,000 miles of the utility's distribution lines in high-fire threat districts lacks sufficient clarity.

"Some serious questions and issues remain regarding PG&E's implementation of the undergrounding initiative," Kirkland & Ellis noted in the report. "Notably, there is substantial skepticism among PG&E field personnel that PG&E can feasibly underground more than 500 miles per year using current technology and hardening methodologies."

PG&E Corp.'s proposal, which could cost $15 billion to $20 billion, aims to eliminate the $1.4 billion per year the utility spends on trimming and removing trees in close proximity to all power lines throughout its sprawling, wildfire-imperiled 70,000-square-mile service territory in Northern and Central California.

"We welcome the feedback provided in the federal monitor's report, as we have throughout the probation period," PG&E Corp. said Nov. 24 in an emailed statement. "We also recognize that we have more work to do."

As part of their $58 billion bankruptcy restructuring concluded in July 2020, the utility and its holding company agreed to pay $25.5 billion in wildfire claims from insurers, cities and counties and more than 70,000 individual wildfire victims. But post-bankruptcy wildfire-related liabilities have continued to accrue despite repeated commitments to end utility-ignited infernos.

Kirkland & Ellis also cited PG&E's infrastructure inspections record as a major cause for concern even though the company has beefed up its wildfire planning resources and prioritized that work.

"In no year has PG&E met all of the inspection commitments in its [Wildfire Mitigation Plan]," they said. "[The utility] lacks a clear execution plan to address the increasing backlog in a timely way. ... [C]onditions that are meant to be addressed within six months per PG&E guidance could sit unmitigated for several years."

Additionally, the utility's enhanced vegetation management work in high-fire threat districts is too slow and "should not limit its ... targets to 1,800 miles per year out of the 25,500 [high-fire threat district] miles," the monitor said.

Executive turnover is another threat to PG&E's operability, according to the report, given the utility has had five CEOs and 45 different board members since the monitor's appointment.

"No organization can sustain long-term progress if there is substantial turnover of senior leaders, with each wave of leaders having their own particular priorities, even if each wave and individual operated during their respective brief tenures in good faith," Kirkland & Ellis wrote.

The report also called on PG&E to improve recordkeeping and contractor management and urged policymakers to consider whether state regulations and oversight can be reformed.

"We do not doubt the sincerity of efforts, but doing 'more of the same' may not be enough on its own, given that often PG&E substantially complied with state mandates and goals, in important respects at least, and terrible fires, deaths and destruction nonetheless occurred," Kirkland & Ellis said.

The California Public Utilities Commission, or CPUC, on Oct. 7 voted unanimously in support of a proposed order to develop a framework for assessing the safety culture at state electric and gas utilities and natural gas storage operators. The assessments will seek to determine whether each company's values, principles, beliefs and norms prioritize safety and produce a record of safe operation.

The order stems from recent legislation that required the CPUC to assess the safety culture at electric utilities within the context of wildfire safety efforts. Lawmakers in Senate Bill 901 later asked the CPUC to more broadly evaluate the companies' safety culture. The CPUC opted to extend the requirement to gas utilities and gas storage facilities.

The Murders, Explosions, Indictments and the PG&E Consultant

CPUC Proceedings of Note: PG&E Restructuring, Undergrounding and Wildfire Mitigation - Public Agencies Will Be Impacted by Various Actions

Pete BennettJanuary 10, 2022 No comments

Pacific Gas and Electric’s announcement that it intends to file for bankruptcy by the end of January will have a significant impact on public agencies. The California Public Utilities Commission recently began an investigation into PG&E restructuring, as well as other important rulemakings that directly affect local governments. Cities, counties, joint powers authorities and special districts should strongly consider getting involved in the proceedings.

PG&E Bankruptcy & Restructuring
PG&E continues to encounter regulatory and financial difficulties related to its safety record on both gas and electric services well after the San Bruno gas pipeline explosion, which resulted in massive CPUC-imposed fines and federal felony convictions against PG&E. There is widespread criticism and massive potential liability arising out of wildfires allegedly linked to PG&E’s facilities and infrastructure. In addition, the CPUC’s Safety Division has alleged that PG&E deliberately falsified gas pipeline mapping mandated by the CPUC.

Yesterday, PG&E announced that it intends to file for bankruptcy protection by the end of the month, citing potential wildfire liabilities of approximately $30 billion, with only $1.4 billion in wildfire insurance. Since fall 2017, PG&E’s stock has lost more than three quarters of its value due to growing wildfire liability concerns. PG&E’s bankruptcy will be complex and must address the competing interests of fire victims, creditors, customers and energy providers.

PG&E’s bankruptcy announcement is another in a string of inauspicious events for the troubled utility. The bankruptcy announcement came just a day after PG&E’s CEO, Geisha Williams, exited the company. On Jan. 8, PG&E announced the sudden “retirement” of three officers directly in charge of the electric system. The next day, Moody’s downgraded PG&E’s credit rating, citing a challenging environment for the utility as potential liabilities grow, liquidity reserves decline and access to capital becomes more uncertain. Multiple media outlets recently reported that PG&E was exploring the sale of its natural gas division in the spring to avoid bankruptcy. However, PG&E's natural gas assets only account for between 20 and 30 percent of the company and it is not clear that it had a buyer lined up or that the sale would net enough to stave off bankruptcy.

In December, the CPUC announced it is evaluating PG&E’s corporate governance, structure and operations. Regulators are concerned that recurring safety problems at PG&E indicate a deep and systemic problem with the company’s safety culture that requires unprecedented reform. The CPUC is considering splitting the gas and electric distribution and transmission divisions into separate companies, converting the company into a group of regional subsidiaries or municipal utilities, and replacing PG&E leadership. The CPUC will also evaluate whether PG&E should transition into a “wires-only company” that only provides electric distribution and transmission services and, if so, what entities should provide generation services in PG&E’s absence.

PG&E restructuring is of significant concern to Northern California Community Choice Aggregators and other communities that may consider forming municipal utilities to provide residents with retail electricity while maintaining local control. PG&E and other investor-owned utilities may also attempt to move a significant portion of their wildfire liabilities to ratepayers and CCAs. PG&E is expected to make initial filings with the CPUC in its restructuring investigation by Jan. 16, with opening comments from other stakeholders filed by Jan. 30.

Utility Undergrounding Programs – Rule 20
The CPUC is considering revisions to the Electric Rule 20 utility undergrounding programs of IOUs. This multi-phase proceeding is examining Rule 20 funding allocations, trading credits among municipalities, changes to IOU undergrounding tariffs, contracts between cities and IOUs, and program restructuring.

Dozens of communities throughout the State have active undergrounding programs, while others have programs that are dormant, but can become active or can trade unused undergrounding credits to other cities. This proceeding provides municipalities with an important opportunity to influence a topic rarely considered by the CPUC. The administrative law judge overseeing this matter issued a memo outlining the scope of the rulemaking in November, with initial stakeholder proposals expected in mid-January.

SB 901 Wildfire Mitigation Plans & De-Energization of Power Lines
Catastrophic wildfires linked to utility infrastructure pose a grave and enduring threat to local communities. The Legislature recently passed SB901, which requires all IOUs to adopt preventive strategies and develop mitigation programs that minimize the risk of its electrical lines and equipment, while considering the dynamic effects of climate change. SB901 also requires the CPUC to consider appropriate procedures for notifying customers who may be impacted by the de-energization of electrical lines. These procedures must prioritize communications with critical first responders, health care facilities and telecommunications infrastructure operators.

To implement SB901, the CPUC began three proceedings:

In October, the CPUC initiated a rulemaking to seek guidance on the form and content of utility wildfire mitigation plans. This proceeding is fast-tracked on an expedited timetable, with IOU wildfire mitigation plans due in the summer.
In December, the CPUC opened a proceeding to specifically examine de-energization of power lines during dangerous conditions in high-risk areas, to develop best practices and local government coordination. This proceeding is expected to tackle some of the more complex de-energization topics related to wildfire.
In January, the CPUC opened a rulemaking to implement Public Utilities Code section 451.2, which requires the CPUC to determine how to allocate costs associated with the 2017 wildfire to the IOUs and their ratepayers.

Wildfire mitigation and de-energization procedures are of paramount concern to California communities that face heightened wildfire risk and challenges integrating potential de-energization events into their disaster response preparedness programs.

IBEW Worker killed on 680

Pete BennettJanuary 09, 2022 No comments

Pete BennettJanuary 08, 2022TO No comments


			View Committees and Charters

Lewis Chew
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

Anthony F. Earley Jr.
Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer
and President of PG&E Corporation

Fred J. Fowler
Retired Chairman of the Board of
Spectra Energy Partners, LP

Maryellen C. Herringer
Retired Executive Vice President,
General Counsel,
and Secretary of APL Limited

Richard C. Kelly
Retired Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of Xcel Energy Inc.

Roger H. Kimmel
Vice Chairman of Rothschild Inc.

Richard A. Meserve
President Emeritus, Carnegie Institution of Washington

Eric D. Mullins
Managing Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer of
Lime Rock Resources, L.P.

Forrest E. Miller
Retired Group Vice President,
Corporate Strategy and Development of AT&T Inc.

Rosendo (Ro) G. Parra
Retired Senior Vice President of Dell Inc.

Barbara L. Rambo
Chief Executive Officer of Taconic Management Services

Anne Shen Smith
Retired Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of
Southern California Gas Company

Barry Lawson Williams
President of
Williams Pacific Ventures, Inc.

Standing Committees of the Boards of Directors

Audit Committees (PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company)

View Charter

Review financial and accounting practices, internal controls, external and internal auditing programs, business ethics, and compliance with laws, regulations, and policies that may have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements. Satisfy themselves as to the independence and competence of the independent public accountants, select and appoint the firm of independent public accountants to audit PG&E Corporation’s and Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s accounts, and pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent public accountants.

Forrest E. Miller, Chair
Lewis Chew
Maryellen C. Herringer
Richard C. Kelly
Eric D. Mullins

Compensation Committee (PG&E Corporation)

View Charter

Reviews employment, compensation, and benefits policies and practices, Board of Directors compensation, and long-range planning for officer development and succession.

Barry Lawson Williams, Chair
Maryellen Herringer
Forrest E. Miller
Rosendo G. Parra
Barbara L. Rambo

Compliance and Public Policy Committee (PG&E Corporation)

View Charter

Reviews public policy issues that could significantly affect the interests of customers, shareholders, or employees, policies and practices with respect to those issues, and significant societal, governmental, and environmental trends and issues that may affect the operations of PG&E Corporation, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, or their respective subsidiaries.

Lewis Chew, Chair
Roger H. Kimmel
Richard A. Meserve
Anne Shen Smith

Executive Committees (PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company)

View Charter

Subject to certain limits, may exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Boards of Directors.

Anthony F. Earley Jr., Chair
Lewis Chew
Maryellen C. Herringer
Richard A. Meserve
Forrest E. Miller
Barbara L. Rambo
Barry Lawson Williams

Finance Committee (PG&E Corporation)

View Charter

Reviews financial and capital investment policies and objectives and specific actions required to achieve those objectives, long-term financial and investment plans and strategies, annual financial plans, dividend policy, short-term and long-term financing plans, proposed capital expenditures, proposed divestitures, major commercial and investment banking, financial consulting, and other financial relations, and risk management activities. Annually reviews a five-year financial plan that incorporates PG&E Corporation’s business strategy goals, as well as an annual budget that reflects elements of the approved five-year plan.

Barbara L. Rambo, Chair
Fred J. Fowler
Roger H. Kimmel
Anne Shen Smith
Barry Lawson Williams

Nominating and Governance Committee (PG&E Corporation)

View Charter

Recommends candidates for nomination as directors and reviews the composition and performance of the Boards of Directors. Reviews corporate governance matters, including the Corporate Governance Guidelines of PG&E Corporation and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

Maryellen C. Herringer, Chair
Richard C. Kelly
Roger H. Kimmel
Richard A. Meserve
Rosendo G. Parra
Barbara L. Rambo

Nuclear, Operations, and Safety Committee (PG&E Corporation)

View Charter

Reviews significant public and employee safety, operational performance, and compliance issues relating to utility operations and facilities (nuclear, generation, and gas and electric transmission and distribution), and risk management policies and practices related to such operations and facilities.

Richard A. Meserve, Chair
Fred J. Fowler
Richard C. Kelly
Rosendo G. Parra
Anne Shen Smit

4 killed in plane crash on highway

Pete BennettJanuary 08, 2022 No comments

Four people, including a 12-year-old boy, died Thursday in Concord when their small private plane struck Highway 4 and crashed onto the roadway during rainy weather while trying to make a second landing at Buchanan Field, officials said.

The crash occurred at 11 a.m. as the pilot was attempting to land at the airport, two hours after leaving Montgomery Field in San Diego, authorities said. The pilot reported being "too far off course" during the first landing attempt, officials said. No one on the ground was injured.

The identities of the dead weren't released pending notification of family. None of the victims is from the Bay Area, said Jimmy Lee, Contra Costa County sheriff's spokesman. Autopsies are scheduled for today.

Replay

Traffic was delayed throughout the day because of the crash, with motorists slowing in the rain to look at the wreckage. The two eastbound lanes of Highway 4, which abuts the airport, were closed for six hours from the Interstate 680 junction to Solano Way.

The 12-year-old boy, who was conscious when rescuers found him, later died at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek while undergoing emergency surgery, said California Highway Patrol Officer Scott Yox.

Four people were onboard the six-seat, single-engine Piper PA-46 Malibu: two women, a man and the boy.

Records show that the plane was built in 1989 and has been registered since 1999 to John Frank Mauricio, 78, a pilot who lives in Las Vegas.

"When it came in, it appeared to have made too low of an approach, and according to witnesses and evidence on the scene, it struck the freeway," Yox said.

The plane hit the ground between the east and westbound sides of the highway, tumbled across the roadway and came to rest on the south side of the eastbound lanes, less than 100 feet from Highway 4 and near a chain-link fence that borders nearby Marsh Drive. The plane went down at least 1,000 feet from the end of the runway, Yox said.

Rescue personnel from the airport and the Contra Costa County Fire Department found the plane engulfed in a raging fire, Yox said. They put out the fire, keeping it from the passenger compartment, entered the plane and removed two people: a deceased man and the boy.

Yox said the boy, who was found between the front pilot seats and the back passenger seats, was alert and conscious, but had suffered blunt-force trauma and broken bones. He was able to respond to rescuers, he said.

"He knew it was the holiday season," Yox said.

Several hours after the crash, coroner's officials removed the bodies from the scene. Debris still littered the roadway, and the smell of the plane's fuel lingered in the air. The plane was covered with a red tarp to preserve the scene.

Henry Sickels, general manager of Gibbs Flying Service, which handles between 50 and 100 departures a day at the San Diego airport, said the pilot was a regular Gibbs customer but was not based there.

"He's a frequent transient customer -- he's here often, I don't know where he comes from," Sickels said. "There was nothing abnormal about any of it. He's a normal customer and he got on the airplane and departed. Nothing was unusual."

Gary Reardon, an assistant office manager at Lithia Dodge Concord, next to the airport and Highway 4, said he was standing outside in one of the service bays with another employee when he heard an engine and looked up.

"There are always planes coming over the dealership, since we're right next to the airport," he said. "I kind of saw a plane that looked like it was coming in at a steep angle -- it was banking hard to get to one of the runways. I mentioned to the service manager, 'That guy is coming in steep' -- then the plane disappeared behind some trees, and the service manager said, 'Oh my God, it crashed!' We saw a ball of fire and black smoke.

"It was a very scary, very surreal moment."

The crash happened two days before the 21st anniversary of the Dec. 23, 1985, disaster that occurred when a plane trying to land at the same airfield crashed into nearby Sunvalley Mall, killing seven people and injuring 78.

On April 13, 2004, a Piper Turbo plane crashed on I-680 shortly after leaving Buchanan Field. The plane landed on a minivan and nearly severed the left leg of Arianna Jimenez, then 11, who was in the vehicle. Officials determined the crash was the fault of a mechanic who had worked on the plane.

In October, Arianna received an $820,000 settlement from the county, a plane parts manufacturer, the mechanic and the pilot, said the family's attorney, Gerald Sterns of Oakland.

Each crash revived concerns over the airport's location in a populated area.

Sterns said Thursday that his arguments in Arianna's civil case could be summarized as, "This is going to happen again. Don't say you haven't been warned. You have a problem the way this damn airport is set up in the middle of a commercial area, that any time any airplane gets in any trouble, somebody, a building or child or whatever is going to be at risk."

Former Contra Costa County Supervisor and newly elected Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier, who unsuccessfully tried to get Buchanan moved several years ago, said Thursday, "The financial, legal and political ability to move an airport in this country is very difficult. Anything you could look at to prevent something like this from happening is a healthy exercise."

The Sprint Executive Team - what a mess

Where This Score Ranks Sprint's Executive Team

Sprint Key Executives

Kirkland & Ellis LLP - Obfuscation of the truth

The Murders, Explosions, Indictments and the PG&E Consultant

CPUC Proceedings of Note: PG&E Restructuring, Undergrounding and Wildfire Mitigation - Public Agencies Will Be Impacted by Various Actions

IBEW Worker killed on 680

Standing Committees of the Boards of Directors

4 killed in plane crash on highway

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