Wildfires and Utility Liability: Complying With New Regulations, Impact of PG&E Litigation
Project Development, Safety and Maintenance, Pursuing and Defending Claims
Recording of a 90-minute premium CLE webinar with Q&A
This CLE course will provide energy counsel an in-depth analysis of utility liability for wildfire claims and damages. The panel will discuss recent lawsuits against PG&E, new state regulations, the impact of wildfires and related laws on energy project development, safety and maintenance, and offer guidance on pursuing and defending claims stemming from wildfires and lack of compliance with federal or state regulations.
Outline
- Impact of PG&E lawsuits
- Recent state regulations
- Potential federal liability and claims
- Impact to power purchase agreements
- Utility development, safety and maintenance considerations
- Best practices in pursuing or defending claims
Benefits
The panel will review these and other key issues:
- How do the lawsuits against PG&E impact energy infrastructure?
- What are the potential causes of action and defenses for utilities in wildfire claims?
- Recent wildfire state regulations and impact to utilities
- How do recent cases and state wildfire regulations impact power purchase agreements?
- Techniques and best practices in pursuing or defending wildfire claims
Faculty
Randy W. Gimple
Partner
Carlson Calladine & Peterson
Mr. Gimple represents parties in cases involving catastrophic fires, explosions, floods, earthquakes, equipment... | Read More
Mr. Gimple represents parties in cases involving catastrophic fires, explosions, floods, earthquakes, equipment failures, automobile accidents and other calamities. For example, he has handled numerous wildland fire cases in California, Texas and other states, as well as floods, rocket-fuel explosions, a train derailment, a multiple-fatality gas pipeline explosion and hundreds of structure fires. Mr. Gimple’s clients include companies in the computer, electrical utility, telecommunications, aerospace, semiconductor and heavy manufacturing industries. He routinely handles mass-tort cases involving thousands, if not tens of thousands, of parties.
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Mark S. Grotefeld
Founding Partner
Grotefeld Hoffmann
Mr. Grotefeld is a founding member of the firm. His trial practice is focused on complex civil cases involving matters... | Read More
Mr. Grotefeld is a founding member of the firm. His trial practice is focused on complex civil cases involving matters both national and international in scope. Mr. Grotefeld received his B.A. from the University of Arizona in 1978 and his J.D. from the John Marshall Law School in 1981. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1981, the Florida Bar in 1982, and the Texas Bar in 2013. Mr. Grotefeld has served as national and regional counsel in large scale catastrophic loss cases, including many wildfire matters and catastrophic explosion events, and has tried matters of national prominence in courts throughout the United States. He has lectured on law topics in the United States, Canada and Europe.
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Diane Marger Moore
Atty
Baum Hedlund Aristei & Goldman
Ms. Moore is triple board certified in three categories by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. She is a Board... | Read More
Ms. Moore is triple board certified in three categories by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. She is a Board Certified Civil Trial Advocate, a Board Certified Civil Pretrial Practice Advocate and a Board Certified Truck Accident Attorney. Ms. Moore is an accomplished attorney, public servant, magistrate, educator, mediator, arbitrator, lecturer, writer, editor, and community service volunteer. Throughout her career she has tried over 200 jury trials in courts across the United States. As one of the most experienced fire trial lawyers in the country, Ms. Moore heads Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman’s wildfire litigation team. She also works on whistleblower protection cases and commercial transportation accident litigation.
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