Utilities press Congress on disaster relief, tax credits

By Marc Heller | 03/10/2025 06:27 AM EDT

Investor-owned utilities are asking lawmakers to loosen some of the potential financial burdens they face from wildfires.

Th Franklin Fire burns behind power lines.

The Franklin Fire burns behind power lines Dec. 10, 2024, in Malibu, California. Eric Thayer/AP

Electric utilities are pressing lawmakers to ease some of the financial hit that the companies face from natural disasters and to support legislation to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Representatives from more than 40 investor-owned utilities and the Edison Electric Institute made their case during meetings on Capitol Hill last week, according to the EEI, an industry association.

“There is an urgent need for legislation,” said spokesperson Jeremy Ortiz.

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The group said its members alerted congressional offices to the importance of wildfire mitigation and protecting tax provisions that have spurred investment in energy projects.

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