HE - Hawaiian Electric's role in Maui fire said to be target of GOP probe

2023-08-31 16:32:39 ET

House Republicans are looking into the role of utility company Hawaiian Electric Industries in this month’s deadly Lahaina wildfire, Bloomberg News reported Thursday. The probe comes amid finger-pointing over what triggered an inferno that’s blamed for 115 deaths, hundreds of missing people and more than $5.5 billion in damages.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and other leaders said in a letter they want more information about events that led to the blaze.

“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 a 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.”

More on Hawaiian Electric

• Is Hawaiian Electric A Basket Case Or In The Bargain Bin?
• Hawaiian Electric: Solid Q2 Results, But Avoid Due To Wildfire Liability Risk
• Scandal Stocks: Too Soon To Buy Hawaiian Electric
• Hawaiian Electric - Many Uncertainties After The Fire
• Biggest stock movers today: Hawaiian Electric, RPT Realty, VinFast Auto and more
• Hawaiian Electric says power lines were out for hours before deadly Maui fire
• Hawaiian Electric sinks after S&P cuts rating further into junk territory
• Biggest stock movers today: Hawaiian Electric, Affirm Holdings, Domo and more
• Seeking Alpha’s Quant Rating on Hawaiian Electric
• Earnings data for Hawaiian Electric
• Dividend scorecard for Hawaiian Electric

For further details see: