Three Utah-based power providers want FERC to block PacifiCorp’s attempt to tack $1.7B in wildfire liabilities onto transmission rates. (Utility Dive)
The issue: PacifiCorp hasn’t paid the money yet—but wants to recover it from wholesale customers in one rate year via its formula rate. The fires happened in 2020 and 2022, and juries found the utility acted with gross negligence in many claims.
Why it matters: Deseret G&T, UAMPS, and UMPA argue this creates rate shock, violates federal law, and shifts shareholder risk onto customers with zero guarantee the costs were prudently incurred.
What’s next: Comments are due to FERC by August 1. The Utah providers are pushing for a separate prudence review before any costs hit transmission bills.