PG&E gets big break in San Bruno disaster fine

Mysteriously, prosecutors who were seeking a $562 million fine against Pacific Gas & Electric for its role in the 2010 San Bruno explosion, yesterday (August 2) backed away while the jury was still deliberating. Hours later, the judge cut nearly all of the potential fine, and the utility now faces a maximum fine of $6 million, according to the Associated Press.

The prosecutors' decision came without explanation. Earlier in the day, the judge had ruled that a presentation by prosecutors could not be shown to jurors, who had requested to see it.

The 2010 blast killed eight people and leveled 38 homes. Stock of Pacific Gas & Electric is up half a percentage point today (Aug. 3).