North Dakota House approves bill that protects power companies from wildfire liability

Picture of the Canadian wildfires in 2024. Courtesy of CBS News Radio.

North Dakota lawmakers have passed a bill shielding electric companies from unlimited liability when their power lines cause wildfires. Senate Bill 2339 allows utilities to submit wildfire prevention plans that can be used in court to show they took reasonable precautions. The House approved the measure 62-28 on Friday after initially rejecting it Thursday. The bill prevents utilities from being held automatically responsible for wildfire damages without proof of negligence. The legislation follows devastating wildfires in western North Dakota last October that burned 118,000 acres, killed two people, and caused millions in damages. At least one of these fires was linked to a downed power line. The bill now awaits the governor’s signature.