Oregon Lawmakers Seek Utility Rate Freeze for Ongoing Wildfire Lawsuits (Claims Journal)

Oregon Lawmakers Seek Utility Rate Freeze for Ongoing Wildfire Lawsuits

Thursday, December 26th, 2024 Catastrophe Legislation & Regulation Litigation Risk Management

Three Oregon lawmakers are preparing a bill aimed at barring utilities from increasing rates if they face unresolved wildfire lawsuits for three or more years. This initiative is partly in response to the challenges posed by PacifiCorp, a major utility embroiled in lawsuits related to the 2020 wildfires. The announcement followed news of a 9.8% rate hike for PacifiCorp customers and a federal lawsuit accusing the utility of negligence in maintaining power lines, which allegedly contributed to the devastating Archie Creek Fire in 2020.

The Oregon Public Utility Commission’s approval of the rate increase marks nearly a 50% rise in PacifiCorp rates since 2021. Lawmakers argue that allowing rate hikes amidst unresolved lawsuits shifts financial burdens to consumers rather than holding the utility accountable. Rep. Virgle Osborne, a co-sponsor of the proposed bill, emphasized the importance of halting rate increases to ensure PacifiCorp assumes responsibility for wildfire damages.

PacifiCorp faces billions in potential liabilities stemming from the 2020 wildfires, with several settlements already reached, including a $299 million agreement with affected residents. Additional litigation continues, with Oregon juries repeatedly finding the company liable for negligence. The Labor Day weekend wildfires in 2020 were among Oregon’s worst natural disasters, killing nine people and destroying thousands of homes.

If passed, the bill could reshape utility accountability and consumer protection, emphasizing a stricter approach to addressing wildfire-related liabilities in the utility sector.


External References & Further Reading
https://www.claimsjournal.com/news/national/2024/12/26/328079.htm
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