Wildfires and Utility Liability: Complying With New Regulations, Impact of PG&E Litigation
Project Development, Safety and Maintenance, Pursuing and Defending Claims
Course Details
- smart_display Format
On-Demand
- signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level
- work Practice Area
Energy
- event Date
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
- schedule Time
1:00 PM E.T.
- timer Program Length
90 minutes
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This 90-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.5 CLE credits.
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This CLE course will provide energy counsel an in-depth analysis of utility liability for wildfire claims and damages. The panel will discuss recent lawsuits against PG&E, new state regulations, the impact of wildfires and related laws on energy project development, safety and maintenance, and offer guidance on pursuing and defending claims stemming from wildfires and lack of compliance with federal or state regulations.
Wildfires have plagued multiple states resulting in complex litigation implicating utility companies and state and local governments. Attorneys within the energy sector must have an in-depth understanding of new state regulations impacting utility project development, safety and maintenance, along with new federal standards and guidance.
Utilities face the risk of being subject to mounting wildfire claims stemming from transmission lines or other infrastructure. Recently, PG&E filed bankruptcy in the face of billions of dollars of potential liability resulting from a link between its transmission infrastructure and the ignition of wildfires in California. State regulators have launched investigations into the role of utility companies play in contributing to wildfires and assess their fire mitigation plans to ensure compliance with state law.
Some western states impose strict liability against utility companies if proven that the utility's equipment caused the wildfire, while other states allow claims for negligence focused on failures in utility construction, safety or maintenance. Also, the federal government can pursue claims for negligence, trespass, and fire-suppression costs if a fire burns government lands or national forests.
Listen as our panel discusses the implications of the PG&E lawsuits on utility companies, recent state regulations, impact to power purchase agreements, and offer guidance in pursuing or defending claims.
- Impact of PG&E lawsuits
- Recent state regulations
- Potential federal liability and claims
- Impact to power purchase agreements
- Utility development, safety and maintenance considerations
- Best practices in pursuing or defending claims
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- How do the lawsuits against PG&E impact energy infrastructure?
- What are the potential causes of action and defenses for utilities in wildfire claims?
- Recent wildfire state regulations and impact to utilities
- How do recent cases and state wildfire regulations impact power purchase agreements?
- Techniques and best practices in pursuing or defending wildfire claims
