HB2201 is being pushed by Arizona's three largest electric utilities -- Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project, and Tucson Electric Power. It would relieve these utilities of responsibility for harm from wildfires caused by their infrastructure and make them less accountable.
HB2201 NOW: wildfire mitigation planning; utilities; approval is not about wildfire protection or mitigation as the name infers. Utilities do not need the bill to do wildfire mitigation. It is about utilities shifting and avoiding liability for their actions or inaction, thus burdening communities and individuals.
While there was an amendment to improve the bill, it still gives utilities deference for their negligence as long as they comply with a wildfire mitigation plan that requires them to do less than they are doing now. Failing to comply with an approved wildfire mitigation plan is not necessarily negligence either, so this pretty much lets utilities off the hook for being irresponsible.
These utilities – public power entities and public service corporations – are monopolies that have guaranteed returns in the case of the public service corporations, or are not for profit as with the Salt River Project. They have the means and the responsibility to maintain their infrastructure and if they are not doing so, they should be held liable for the harm.
The last thing we need in Arizona are utilities that are unchecked and are less accountable. Tell Your Senator to Vote NO on HB2201!
