Xcel Energy Faces Lawsuit Over Utility Pole Allegedly Igniting Texas' Largest Wildfire
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Minnesota-based energy company Xcel Energy and its subsidiary Southwestern Public Service Company are facing a lawsuit over a wooden utility pole that allegedly broke, igniting the Smokehouse Creek wildfire in the Texas Panhandle.
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The lawsuit was filed by a Texas Panhandle resident, alleging gross negligence by the companies and a third company hired to inspect the utility poles.
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The wildfire has burned over 1 million acres so far and caused at least 2 deaths, making it the largest wildfire in Texas history.
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Xcel Energy recently faced a similar lawsuit in Colorado over equipment allegedly causing a deadly 2021 wildfire.
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Xcel has denied official determinations of the cause of the Texas wildfires and says investigations are still ongoing, but has committed to helping those affected.