Home / Disasters and Accidents / PacifiCorp to Pay $575M Over Wildfire Damages
PacifiCorp to Pay $575M Over Wildfire Damages
21 Feb
Summary
- PacifiCorp will pay $575 million to resolve federal wildfire claims.
- The settlement covers six wildfires across Oregon and California.
- The utility's electrical lines are accused of negligently starting the fires.
PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, has reached a $575 million settlement with the U.S. government. This agreement resolves claims related to six wildfires that scorched nearly 290,000 acres of federal land in Oregon and California.
The fires, which occurred during Labor Day weekend in 2020 and July 2022, are alleged to have been started by PacifiCorp's electrical lines. The settlement aims to provide fair compensation to taxpayers for significant firefighting expenses and the loss of natural resources.
This resolution comes as PacifiCorp faces ongoing wildfire litigation. The utility has denied liability in agreeing to the settlement. Funds from the settlement will support restoration efforts on the burned federal lands.
