Hawaii’s Public Utilities Commission has extended its public comment period to June 30 on a proposed liability cap that would limit how much electric utilities must pay in damages if their equipment causes a future wildfire. The cap would apply to future wildfires only, not the 2023 Lahaina fire.
- The PUC is developing a liability cap for electric utilities found responsible for causing future catastrophic wildfires in Hawaii.
- The cap would only apply if the utility was following its approved wildfire mitigation plan at the time of the fire.
- Public comments are due by June 30 via a feedback form at puc.hawaii.gov.
- The liability cap framework does not determine how wildfire victims are compensated — it only limits the utility’s financial exposure.
- The rulemaking stems from a state law passed in response to the 2023 Maui wildfires.
Source: Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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