SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A group of small business owners in San Francisco impacted by power outages in December, are taking PG&E to court. The class action lawsuit filed Monday claims the utility caused businesses significant financial harm during a series of outages around the holidays.
“San Franciscans deserve an electric company that’s reliable, when you flip the switch the lights should come on,” said Sunset homeowner David Lee.
Small business owners say last December, that didn’t happen for several days when a fire at a PG&E substation knocked out power to roughly a third of San Francisco.
“We’re filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of businesses impacted by PG&E blackouts,” said Lee.
RELATED: PG&E customers still waiting on December outage payments amid more San Francisco outages this week
About 40 small business owners and some homeowners are part of the lawsuit, seeking damages from the utility, the group is represented by retired Judge, Quentin Kopp.
“PG&E continues to be oblivious of it’s record of damage to business and homeowners, some of our clients have been damaged over $100,000,” said Kopp.
Far East Café in Chinatown is a plaintiff in the lawsuit, they say they lost customers and food product during December outages.
“The ingredients, frozen food has to be given away, discarded. Labor, people show up for work disappointed,” said Mel Lee, Far East Cafe spokesperson.
RELATED: SF’s Sunset District business owners meet with PG&E after weeks of blackouts
“They should do the right thing and pay up to help our local mom and pop businesses recover the from the blackouts they caused,” said David Lee.
In a statement, the utility tells ABC7 Eyewitness News, it hasn’t seen the lawsuit yet, adding:
“We’re actively meeting with and supporting our customers and we continue to process claims related to this outage as quickly as possible.”
PG&E has offered bill credits of $200 for homeowners and $2,500 in compensation for businesses. Some say it is not enough.
“It’s way beyond $2,500 in damages, they know it and we know it,” said Mel Lee.
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