In this special episode of Fresnolandia, Jordan Mattox speaks with Katherine Blunt, Wall Street Journal reporter and author of California Burning, one of the definitive works on PG&E’s failures, wildfire liabilities, and the vulnerabilities of America’s power grid. Blunt brings clear-eyed insight into how decades of underinvestment, aging infrastructure, regulatory complexity, and climate stress have collided to create California’s ongoing energy crisis.

Together, they unpack the forces that shaped PG&E’s modern identity—from its early monopoly structure to its repeated safety lapses—and discuss how these systemic issues affect communities across the state. The conversation also turns toward Fresno and the Central Valley, exploring why local ratepayers face rising bills, how grid weaknesses show up differently in inland regions, and what future reforms might actually protect residents.

Accessible, deeply informed, and directly relevant to Fresno’s present moment, this episode offers essential context for anyone trying to understand PG&E’s impact on daily life in the Central Valley and the uncertain future of energy in California.