Arizona Power Companies Want to Be Shielded from Wildfire Liability

Arizona is pretty lucky; our state doesn't have many natural disasters here. The East Coast gets hurricanes, the Midwest experiences tornados, and the West Coast worries about earthquakes.

There is one thing we've suffered in our state: wildfires. Watching the devastation as fire ripped through Southern California, our hearts went out to everyone who was affected. As humans, we were sad. As Arizonans, many of us could relate to the fear and anxiety they were experiencing, having experienced similar issues here.

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Utility Companies Contributed to California Wildfires

Arizona utility companies are pushing for a new bill that would shield them from liability if their equipment sparks a wildfire. This is a pretty big deal, especially considering power lines contributed to the out-of-control wildfires in California.

Could Arizona See Massive Wildfires Like California?

Watching the aftermath, as insurance companies cancel home and business owner policies across California, it's hard to imagine what recourse the average citizen may have to rebuild their life—if they have any at all.

Utility Companies in Arizona Want to Be Shielded from Fire Liability

Arizona's largest electricity provider, Arizona Public Service Co. (APS), and other Arizona power utilities are backing legislation that would shield their organizations if California-style wildfires were to break out across the state.

The companies argue that they must be protected from massive lawsuits if their equipment starts a fire. While the bill would require utilities to create and file wildfire mitigation plans, critics argue it doesn't set any real standards for those plans.

Worse yet, it would make it harder for fire victims to sue for damages, which has many people worried.

Arizona Bracing for Possibly the Worst Fire Season in Years

It's likely Arizona's power companies are learning from the fallout on utility companies in California. PG&E was held responsible for some of the most devastating wildfires in recent history.

PG&E's aging power lines sparked the Camp Fire in 2018. The devastation destroyed the entire town of Paradise and claimed eighty-five lives. There's evidence that PG&E's aging system is responsible for the latest wildfires across the Southland, too.

California has held its power companies accountable, but Arizona utilities are looking for a way to dodge liability. It's a classic case of prevention versus protection, and it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out. Let's hope regular Arizonans aren't left on the hook to save the power companies' bottom line.

Sources: ABC News | KAWC | Casey Gerry Trial Lawyers | Cal Matters