$100M Fund Set Up for San Bruno Victims

In a commendable move, Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility company whose pipeline exploded in San Bruno, California, last week and caused at least four deaths, has set up a $100 million fund to compensate victims of the disaster. Chris Johns, president of PG&E, told San Bruno residents in a private meeting that the fund will help victims cover their day-to-day needs and assist the city in covering associated costs. Those whose homes had been damaged or destroyed were told they would receive checks worth $50,000. Even better, the checks, Johns said, have “no strings attached,” meaning they will not prevent the residents from seeking additional funds through legal action.