PG&E vs. trees continues

The ongoing fight over the removal of 13 trees that front the Oroville Cemetery on Feather River Boulevard will last at least until the end of the month, based on Butte County Superior Court Judge Stephen Benson’s order on Wednesday (Jan. 21). The trees are the last of 242 slated to be cut down by PG&E, which claims the trees’ roots pose a danger to underground gas lines.

Two suits have been filed in the case—a temporary restraining order by PG&E to stop protesters from getting in the way of tree crews and another by attorney Richard Harriman asking the judge to prevent removal of the trees until he can do more research.

Benson combined the cases into one and set the next court date for Jan. 28. Harriman said he is researching whether Oroville city staff worked directly with PG&E without notifying the City Council or the public about what was going on.