CUB Applauds Avista Response to the Almeda Fire
Posted on October 27, 2020 by Will Gehrke
Tags, Energy
On September 8, 2020, the Alameda Drive fire started in northern Ashland, Oregon. This fire moved from Ashland up Interstate 5 and moved through Phoenix and Talent, Oregon. This fire caused loss of life and widespread destruction of businesses and homes. CUB is appreciative of the first responders and firefighters who protected people’s lives and property, and who are continuing to work hard to clean up the damage.
CUB would like to highlight and thank the Avista Corporation for its response to this tragedy. Avista provides natural gas to homes and businesses in the Medford region. Avista had 2,048 customers in the active wildfire zones of Ashland, Talent, Phoenix, and Medford. 988 of those customers’ homes or businesses were completely destroyed by the fires. Of the remaining 1,060 customers, 404 customers were disconnected from natural gas. Avista has restored connections to many disconnected customers. As people return to their homes, Avista will continue to restore natural gas service to affected individuals. This is important because natural gas is necessary for customers to heat buildings as temperatures drop.
Avista took the extraordinary step of forgiving bills for customers whose homes were destroyed by the Alameda Drive fire. The company is not seeking to recover these costs from utility customers; instead, shareholders are going to cover them. CUB appreciates Avista forgiving the utility bills of customers who lost their homes and possessions at shareholders’ expense and quickly reconnecting gas service to customers in Southern Oregon.
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08/18/21 | 0 Comments | CUB Applauds Avista Response to the Almeda Fire