PG&E sending apologies and checks to frustrated customers

SAN FRANCISCO " PG&E is sending apologies and checks of up to $100 to Northern California customers who were left in the dark during power outages early in January.

The utility company is hoping to regain the confidence of frustrated customers who endured power outages for up to four days during a series of storms in January.

Checks will be sent to those who went without power for at least two days, with the biggest payout going to those who weathered all four days without electricity.

The company started mailing out the checks this month to about 104,000 customers. The total payout will be around $5 million.