San Andreas, CA…Today, the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors agreed to settle the County’s claims against PG&E for damages suffered as a result of the 2015 Butte Fire. After more than two and a half years of information exchange, expert analysis, litigation, and mediation, both PG&E and the County have accepted a “mediator’s proposal” of $25,400,000 for all County claims and liabilities arising from the 2015 Butte Fire. The parties attended three substantive mediations, and after the final day of mediation, JAMS mediator Michael Ornstil made the mediator’s proposal.

“This settlement recovers millions of dollars of lost revenues and resources the County lost in the 2015 Butte Fire,” said Board Chair Gary Tofanelli.

The details of the mediation process are confidential per agreement among the parties, the mediator, and per California law. The County Board of Supervisors was advised by County Counsel Megan Stedtfeld, Deputy County Counsel Greg Wayland, and the national law firm of Baron & Budd, which has represented hundreds of public entities in complex litigation nationwide over the past 20 years.

The Board further directed County Counsel to finalize and present to the Chair a Settlement Agreement for signature. Funds are expected to be paid before the end of the calendar year.

For more information, please contact County PIO, Timothy W. Lutz at (209) 754-6025.
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