San Diego Gas & Electric asked Friday for authority to bill its customers $379 million for costs left over from 2007 wildfires in northern San Diego County.

The fires, triggered largely by SDG&E equipment, destroyed more than 1,300 homes and killed two people.

Stockholders in the investor-owned utility monopoly would pay the remaining $42 million, or 10 percent, of legal settlement costs that were not covered by wildfire insurance or counterclaims against other businesses implicated in the start of the fires.

The 90-10 split proposed by SDG&E in filings with state regulators Friday is modeled after a previous state decision on a hazardous waste cleanup effort.


Separately, SDG&E already got the green light from federal officials to recover a $56 million portion of the 2007 wildfire costs corresponding to the area’s bulk transmission system, and stands to collect an additional $24 million on utility bills.

SDG&E says that it is obligated as a regulated monopoly to serve customers in fire-prone areas — and to pay damages linked to power-line problems whether or not negligence was involved. The company plans to introduce new evidence to the California Public Utilities Commission about the severity of dry, windy weather conditions that fanned the October 2007 fires.

Several consumer groups have objected to previous attempts by SDG&E to bill customers for the wildfires, arguing that it would undermine financial incentives that help ensure effective disaster prevention. Attorney Michael Aguirre said he planned to vigorously challenge the new request by SDG&E on behalf of client Ruth Hendricks, a representative utility customer.

SDG&E parent company Sempra Energy has told investors it will probably be allowed to recover much of the money paid out in thousands of wildfire settlements. Just one claim remains, according to SDG&E.


The commission also acknowledged concerns raised by SDG&E about massive potential liabilities of future fires in Southern California.

SDG&E estimates that its plan would add $1.67 to the average monthly utility bill if costs are spread out over a six year period.