SALEM, Ore. – Salem could impose harsh penalties on Oregon power companies if they are found negligent or at fault for causing a wildfire.
Senate Bill 926 would ban private electric companies from recovering wildfire lawsuit costs in the event a court finds them negligent in starting a fire.
Ashland democratic State Senator Jeff Golden, a sponsor of the bill, says electric companies would have to compensate the injured party before making any payments in the interest of their shareholders…