Saying fines don't work, California's top regulator asks for review of size of PG&E

California's top utility regulator is asking if the state's largest utility is too big for safety.

Michael Picker of the state Public Utilities Commission asked that question ahead of a commission meeting Thursday addressing safety at Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Picker said it appeared the utility, with $1.6 billion in earnings in 2014, was able to shrug off financial penalties.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of Picker's statement. The utilities commission president says he will ask commission staff to study the structure of PG&E. That includes looking at the current setup of one board and CEO for both gas and electric services.

PG&E responded by stressing its safety upgrades and training since a 2010 PG&E gas pipeline explosion. That blast killed eight people in the San Francisco suburb of San Bruno.