utilities

Western States Battle Over Legislation as Berkshire Hathaway Seeks Wildfire Liability Shields for Utilities

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As multiple western states grapple with the escalating frequency and ferocity of wildfires, a major corporate player, Berkshire Hathaway, has been aggressively promoting legislation that could reshape the financial landscape of disaster accountability. Operating through its subsidiary PacifiCorp, which services several states, Berkshire Hathaway seeks to limit its financial liability and streamline its defense mechanism in wildfire-related court cases. The company’s strategic legislative push focuses on reducing potential payouts to wildfire victims and capping the liability if its utility equipment sparks a blaze. This move has stirred a rapid and robust response from various quarters, … Read more

Cook County Judge Mandates Midlothian Village to Restore Utilities Amid Landlord-Village Dispute Over Water System Rights

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Midlothian, Illinois – A Cook County judge directed the village of Midlothian to reinstate water and heating services on Friday to an apartment complex embroiled in a dispute over land use and property rights. The conflict emerged when the village disconnected utilities due to a disagreement with the building’s owner over a property easement necessary for a municipal water system upgrade. During the court proceedings, the tension was palpable as the judge expressed frustration, noting that the residents were unjustly suffering due to a standoff not of their making. Describing the residents as “cannon fodder,” … Read more