Kotzebue, Alaska – Nine residents of Kotzebue, Alaska have filed a lawsuit against Vitus Energy, alleging issues with fuel purchased from the company during the winter season. This is not the first lawsuit to be filed against Vitus for fuel problems, as a separate lawsuit was previously taken up by a group of Bethel residents.
During January, when temperatures in Kotzebue plummeted to minus 30 and below, residents noticed that Vitus fuel thickened and clogged filters, leading to heating systems failing to function and causing frozen water lines in their homes. While Vitus declined to comment on the fuel issues in Kotzebue, the company did invite affected customers to contact them for additives that could prevent fuel thickening. While some Kotzebue residents found success with these additives, others had to resort to ordering fuel from another business or relying on woodstoves for heat.
This week, the nine affected residents of Kotzebue took legal action and filed a complaint in the Superior Court, accusing Vitus of negligence, recklessness, and unfair trade practices. The complaint revealed the various hardships experienced by the residents as a result of the heating failures, including frozen pipes, damaged heating units, repair costs, displacement from households, lost rental income, loss of wages from missed employment, and increased heating costs. When asked about the lawsuit, a Vitus official stated that they cannot comment on ongoing litigation.
It is worth noting that Kotzebue was not the only place in Alaska where customers reported problems with Vitus fuel this winter. In December, a Bethel customer informed Vitus about a similar issue with fuel clogging filters due to crystals forming in it. Vitus replaced the faulty fuel, but the issue resurfaced when the temperatures dropped again just before Christmas, leading to heating issues for multiple Bethel customers. Vitus confirmed that some poor-performing fuel had been sold to customers in Bethel.
The Bethel incident prompted 21 residents to file a complaint against Vitus at the end of January. The complaint stated that the residents had paid for fuel rated for colder temperatures but received the type not suitable for such conditions, which is priced significantly higher. The Kotzebue plaintiffs argue that Vitus was negligent in delivering fuel that was not appropriate for cold weather, and that the company acted recklessly by continuing to supply the improper fuel after the issues in Bethel. The plaintiffs claim that Vitus engaged in unfair and deceptive practices by selling the wrong type of heating oil at an inflated price.
Both the Kotzebue and Bethel plaintiffs are seeking $100,000 in compensation for the damages caused by the fuel issues. This lawsuit highlights the challenges faced by residents in these remote Alaskan communities due to the inadequate fuel supply, as well as the financial and emotional toll it has taken on their lives.