Wildfire risks are driving up costs for Northwest utilities
Utilities across the Pacific Northwest are spending millions of dollars on wildfire mitigation projects as they work to reduce the risk of power equipment sparking catastrophic fires and to limit future liability costs.
Photo via ADOBE STOCK
When power lines are blamed for starting a wildfire, costs to utilities can stretch into the billions and trickle down to consumers.
Earlier this year, PacifiCorp settled a federal lawsuit over its lines allegedly starting six fires in Oregon and California, burning nearly 300,000 acres of public land. Thousands of residents also filed claims against the investor-owned utility, which serves 2 million customers in the West.
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