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☆ US House panel asks Hawaiian Electric CEO to testify in wildfire probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsCompanies Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc FollowSept 14 (Reuters) - The U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee on Thursday asked utility company Hawaiian Electric (HE.N) CEO Shelee Kimura to testify at a hearing investigating the causes of the wildfire that killed at least 115 people and razed the historic town of Lahaina. Along with Kimura, the committee also summoned officials of the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and the Hawai’i State Energy Office. Last month, the panel sent letters to Hawaiian Electric as well as state utility officials, seeking information about the wildfires. Reporting by Mrinalika Roy and Sourasis Bose in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja DesaiOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shelee Kimura, Kimura, Mrinalika Roy, Sourasis Bose, Pooja Desai Organizations: Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, REUTERS, Hawaiian Electric Industries, U.S . House Energy, Commerce, Electric, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, Hawai’i, Energy Office, Thomson Locations: Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, Washington, United States, Bengaluru

The new lawsuit, first obtained by NBC News, alleges that Hawaiian Electric helped set the stage for the monstrous wildfires last week. The plaintiffs allege years of inaction and negligence by the utility company, and argue that the firm should have had plans in place to shut down power systems before fierce winds blew across Hawaii. "Hawaiian Electric is not just responsible and they weren't just negligent," said Mikal Watts, a lead attorney on the case. Hawaiian Electric Company declined to comment on the pending lawsuits, saying that would violate an internal policy. Darren Pai, a spokesperson for the company, said Hawaiian Electric was aware of the allegations but remained focused on restoring power to Maui.

Persons: Mikal Watts, Darren Pai, Watts, Pai Organizations: NBC News, Electric, Hawaiian Electric Company, Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaii, Maui, California, Lahaina

A utility pole on Friday that had been damaged in the high winds this week in Lahaina, Hawaii. But Hawaiian Electric, the state’s largest utility and the parent company of the power provider on Maui, made wildfire prevention its lowest priority in a state regulatory filing in April. In fact, the utility had no plan to cut power to prevent further ignitions even after flames began consuming the island. The recent devastation on Maui served as a reminder that climate-driven disaster can strike anywhere. “From what we’ve learned, we believe the Lahaina fires could have been prevented had proper safety precautions been taken,” said Gerald Singleton, one lawyer who issued a release about potential lawsuits.

Persons: ”, Jennifer Potter, Potter, Jim Kelly, we’ve, Gerald Singleton, Nicole Lowen, Ms, ” Ms, “ Organizations: Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas &, Hawaiian Electric, Energy, Hawaii State Legislature Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Maui, California, Lahaina, “, Hawaii

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