House Republicans are probing Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.’s role in the deadly Lahaina wildfire amid a contentious blame game over the blaze that caused more than $5.5 billion in damages and reduced the historic town to ash.
House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and other committee leaders said in a letter they are seeking more information on the sequence of events that led to the blaze that killed at least 115 people and left hundreds more missing.
“We must come to a complete understanding of how this disaster started to ensure Hawaii and other states are prepared to prevent and stop other deadly wildfires,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter sent Wednesday to the utility, the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission and the Hawaii State Energy Office. “Certain evidence of a downed power line sparking dry grass in Lahaina indicates that Hawaiian Electric equipment may have been the cause.
Hawaiian Electric has pushed back against a lawsuit filed by Maui County that accused the company of starting the blaze and has instead suggested the county’s fire department may be responsible for losing control. While a fire on the morning of Aug. 8 apparently was caused by power lines falling in high winds, a second blaze that swept through Lahaina in the afternoon started hours after Hawaiian Electric’s power lines in the area had been turned off, the utility said Monday.
Several lawsuits also have been filed against Hawaiian Electric on behalf of victims, accusing the utility of negligence for not turning off power during critical wildfire conditions.The letter seeks information on actions taken by Hawaiian Electric to address risks to its electric grid, mitigate invasive grasses and vegetation and review the status of proposed fire-related actions pending before the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission.
“In our capacity as chairs of the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the U.S. House of Representatives and its respective energy policy and oversight subcommittees, we are empowered to oversee energy supply, reliability of all power, and regulation of energy resources throughout the country,” the lawmakers wrote. “To that end, we seek a fuller understanding of the role, if any, of the electric infrastructure in this tragic event.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Biden’s Maui Wildfire Response Draws House Republican ProbeHouse Republicans are launching an investigation of the federal government’s response to the devastating Lahaina wildfire as they bash President Joe Biden’s handling of the blaze that killed at least 115 and incinerated the historic town on the island of Maui.
Lire la suite »
Maui wildfires: Final death toll unclear as search for missing nears endOfficials suggested responders likely have already recovered any remains that are recognizable as such, and they are shifting the response to focus on removing hazardous waste.
Lire la suite »
Spain promises bigger role for women in sport as Rubiales asked to resignSpanish regional soccer chiefs demanded the resignation of Luis Rubiales, but stopped short of proposing a motion of no confidence
Lire la suite »
Former Trans Mountain CEO plays up role for Indigenous ownership in pipeline expansionIan Anderson said he hopes Ottawa will move quickly to sell part of the project to Indigenous owners
Lire la suite »
Soccer-Vera Pauw to leave role as Ireland women's coach(Reuters) - Vera Pauw's four-year tenure as coach of Republic of Ireland's women's team will end at the end of August after the country's football ...
Lire la suite »
Gabon Coup Underscores Country’s Role as Key Manganese SupplierThe coup in Gabon risks roiling global supplies of a key industrial metal, as the operator of the world’s largest manganese mine halts production as a precautionary measure.
Lire la suite »