Bend, OR – Three Oregon lawmakers have announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at preventing utility companies from raising rates while facing unresolved wildfire lawsuits for three or more years. The proposed bill, spearheaded by Republican state representatives Jami Cate, Virgle Osborne, and Ed Diehl, is seen as an effort to hold PacifiCorp accountable as the utility continues to grapple with legal challenges stemming from the devastating 2020 wildfires in Oregon.
The announcement follows the approval of a 9.8% rate increase for PacifiCorp’s residential customers by the Oregon Public Utility Commission, which will take effect next year. The rate hike is part of PacifiCorp’s request to cover rising costs, including those linked to wildfire risks and activities.
In addition to the rate increase, PacifiCorp is facing legal action for its role in the 2020 wildfires. Last week, the U.S. government filed a federal lawsuit against the utility over the Archie Creek Fire, which ravaged Oregon’s Douglas County in September 2020. The fire burned more than 200 square miles of land, approximately half of which was federal property. The federal government accuses PacifiCorp of negligence for failing to maintain its power lines, alleging that the company’s oversight contributed to the ignition of the fire. The lawsuit seeks to recover substantial costs and damages related to the fire.
PacifiCorp responded to the lawsuit with a statement expressing regret over the federal government’s decision to file the legal claim. The company emphasized its commitment to working with the U.S. government to resolve the matter in a reasonable manner.
The timing of the lawsuit and the rate increase has led to increasing concerns among lawmakers, particularly those in Oregon, where the 2020 wildfires caused widespread devastation. Representatives Cate, Osborne, and Diehl argued that ratepayers should not bear the financial burden of increased utility rates while PacifiCorp is still involved in lengthy legal battles over its role in the fires. Their proposed legislation seeks to address this concern by barring rate increases if wildfire-related lawsuits remain unresolved for three or more years.
The lawmakers’ proposed bill comes at a time when tensions are rising between utility companies, government agencies, and the public over accountability for wildfire damages. With more than one lawsuit currently pending against PacifiCorp in relation to the 2020 fires, the lawmakers’ proposal seeks to ensure that utility customers do not unfairly face rate hikes while these legal issues are unresolved.
The ongoing legal disputes highlight the broader issue of utility responsibility in preventing wildfires and mitigating their impacts, especially as climate change exacerbates the frequency and severity of wildfires in the region.
