Pacific Gas & Electric Co. v. Alexander

I dissent. In my view, depreciation is to be considered in determining damages for replacing wooden power poles. My conclusion merits further discussion.

P. G. & E. argues that Public Utilities Code section 7952 precludes a depreciation credit for the reasons expressed in Pacific Gas & Electric Co. *257v. Mounteer (1977) 66 Cal.App.3d 809, 812-813 [136 Cal.Rptr. 280], The Mounteer court listed the many problems in determining the depreciation of utility poles: variations in ground and weather conditions, natural disasters, relocation, and underground placement of transmission lines. The court…