Press Article: Oregon Bill Proposes Wildfire Prevention Standards for Utilities Amid Controversy
By Alex Baumhardt, Oregon Capital Chronicle
SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A proposed bill in Oregon, House Bill 3666, aims to set minimum wildfire prevention standards for electric utilities, which could inadvertently shield these companies from lawsuits related to fire damages, critics warn.
Filed by Rep. Pam Marsh (D-Ashland), the legislation would allow the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) to issue a “wildfire safety certification” for electric utilities’ wildfire prevention plans. Proponents, including Marsh, argue that this would lead to safer communities and help utilities stave off expensive litigation.
However, attorneys and wildfire survivors are voicing significant concerns. They argue the certification could serve as a “get-out-of-jail-free card” for utilities like PacificCorp, responsible for the catastrophic 2020 Labor Day fires. At least 11 lives were lost, and thousands of homes were destroyed, prompting legal action that led to a Multnomah County jury finding PacificCorp guilty of negligence.
Critics, including members of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, assert that the bill’s language could favor utilities in court by allowing them to claim they acted “reasonably” in wildfire management, regardless of their culpability in starting fires.
Utilities defend the bill, citing the need for clearer wildfire safety standards amid rising insurance rates. Kristen Sheeran from Portland General Electric emphasized that the bill does not grant absolute immunity but focuses on reducing risk.
As the legislative process unfolds, concerns remain over how this bill might affect current wildfire victims and accountability for utility companies. Survivors, like Sam Drevo, express disbelief that lawmakers might provide relief to a utility while victims wait for compensation. While House Bill 3161 aims to prevent utilities from raising rates during ongoing lawsuits, it remains caught in the legislative queue, stirring further debate in the community about fire safety and corporate responsibility.
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