Berkshire Hathaway Utility Company urges the Oregon Court of Appeals to limit compensation for wildfire damages.

PacifiCorp urged an Oregon appeals court on Wednesday to overturn a ruling that could expose the Berkshire Hathaway-owned utility company to potential liabilities of $520 million for wildfires. The Portland-based utility company rejected claims from thousands of Oregon residents who accused the company of negligence for not shutting off power lines during a strong wind event over Labor Day weekend in 2020 that sparked wildfires. PacifiCorp argued that it was a mistake for the judge to allow the victims of four wildfires, including damages from a fifth fire blamed on lightning, to sue together in a class action lawsuit. The utility company also argued that the judge should not allow the jury to award "non-economic" damages and property losses. "This is a tragedy," said Theodore Buttraz, a lawyer for PacifiCorp, speaking about the wildfires to a panel of three judges at the Oregon Court of Appeals. Berkshire acquired PacifiCorp for $5.1 billion in 2006.