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Commissioners decline to sign Pacific Power letter supporting HB 3666, opt for neutral response
Summary
Pacific Power asked the county to sign a letter of support for House Bill 3666 (Wildfire Safety Accountability Act). Commissioners declined to sign and agreed to take a neutral stance, citing concerns about liability-release language and unresolved technical questions.
Pacific Power requested that Klamath County sign a letter supporting House Bill 3666, the Wildfire Safety Accountability Act. Commissioners on March 11 declined to sign the letter and indicated they would remain neutral.
Commissioners discussed the bill’s provisions and expressed concern that a certificate under the bill might be used by the utility as a release of liability in the event of a wildfire linked to a utility asset. One commissioner said they did not want to insert the board between harmed families and an originator of a fire by signing a letter that could be interpreted as supporting liability shields. Another commissioner said they did not have the depth of information at the meeting to take a position and preferred to remain neutral rather than actively support the bill.
Outcome: The board reached consensus not to sign Pacific Power’s letter of support and to take a neutral response. No formal resolution was adopted during the meeting.
