California leaders won't change utilities' liability for now

A California commission set up to study wildfire issues is recommending that the state change a liability standard imperiling major utilities.

But Gov. Gavin Newsom and Democratic legislative leaders say they won't tackle the hot-button topic for now. They'll push for other changes outlined in a commission report that would make it easier for utilities to recover their wildfire costs if regulators find they acted responsibly.

California has a strict legal standard that requires utilities to pay for damages from wildfires caused by their equipment regardless of whether they acted negligently. The commission says the standard harms utilities, ratepayers and victims.

It also recommends the state charge a fee for home development in certain areas facing wildfire risk. Newsom and legislative leaders haven't said whether they support that.