XML 103 R56.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.1.u1
Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments

The Company has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fuel Contracts

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, PacifiCorp entered into certain coal supply and transportation agreements totaling $1.9 billion through 2030.
Environmental Laws and Regulations

The Company is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal, hazardous and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact the Company's current and future operations. The Company believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Lower Klamath Hydroelectric Project

In November 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") issued a license surrender order for the Lower Klamath Project, which was accepted by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation ("KRRC") and the states of Oregon and California ("States") in December 2022, along with the transfer of the Lower Klamath Project dams. Although PacifiCorp no longer owned the Lower Klamath Project, PacifiCorp continued to operate the facilities under an operation and maintenance agreement with the KRRC until each facility was ready for removal. PacifiCorp's obligations under the operations and maintenance agreement terminated in January 2024. Removal of the Copco No. 2 facility was completed in November 2023, and removal of the remaining three dams (J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1 and Iron Gate) began in January 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in late 2024. The KRRC has $450 million in funding available for dam removal and restoration; $200 million collected from PacifiCorp's Oregon and California customers and $250 million in California bond funds. PacifiCorp and the States have also agreed to equally share cost overruns that may occur above the initial $450 million in funding. Specifically, PacifiCorp and the States have agreed to equally fund an initial $45 million contingency fund and equally share any additional costs above that amount to ensure dam removal and restoration is complete.

Legal Matters

The Company is party to a variety of legal actions, including litigation, arising out of the normal course of business, some of which assert claims for damages in substantial amounts and are described below. For certain legal actions, parties at times may seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs.

Pursuant to ASC 450, "Contingencies," a provision for a loss contingency is recorded when it is probable a liability is likely to occur and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates the related range of reasonably estimated losses and records a loss based on its best estimate within that range or the lower end of the range if there is no better estimate.

Wildfires
    
In California, under inverse condemnation, courts have held that investor-owned utilities can be liable for real and personal property damages from wildfires without the utility being found negligent and regardless of fault. California law also permits inverse condemnation plaintiffs to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. In both Oregon and California, PacifiCorp has equipment in areas accessed through special use permits, easements or similar agreements that may contain provisions requiring it to pay for damages caused by its equipment regardless of fault. Even if inverse condemnation or other provisions do not apply, PacifiCorp could be found liable for all damages.

2020 Wildfires

In September 2020, a severe weather event resulting in high winds, low humidity and warm temperatures contributed to several major wildfires, which resulted in real and personal property and natural resource damage, personal injuries and loss of life and widespread power outages in Oregon and Northern California. The wildfires spread across certain parts of PacifiCorp's service territory and surrounding areas across multiple counties in Oregon and California, including Siskiyou County, California; Jackson County, Oregon; Douglas County, Oregon; Marion County, Oregon; Lincoln County, Oregon; and Klamath County, Oregon, burning over 500,000 acres in aggregate. Third-party reports for these wildfires ("2020 Wildfires") indicate over 2,000 structures destroyed, including residences; several structures damaged; multiple individuals injured; and several fatalities.

Investigations into the cause and origin of each wildfire are complex and ongoing and have been or are being conducted by various entities, including the U.S. Forest Service, the California Public Utilities Commission, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Justice, PacifiCorp and various experts engaged by PacifiCorp.
As of the date of this filing, a significant number of complaints and demands alleging similar claims related to the 2020 Wildfires have been filed in Oregon and California, including a class action complaint in Oregon for which certain jury verdicts were issued as described below. The plaintiffs seek damages for economic losses, noneconomic losses, including mental suffering, emotional distress, personal injury and loss of life, punitive damages, other damages and attorneys' fees. Several insurance carriers have filed subrogation complaints in Oregon and California with allegations similar to those made in the aforementioned complaints. Additionally, the U.S. and Oregon Departments of Justice have informed PacifiCorp that they are contemplating filing actions against PacifiCorp in connection with certain of the Oregon 2020 Wildfires. PacifiCorp is actively cooperating with the U.S. and Oregon Departments of Justice on resolving these alleged claims through alternative dispute resolution.

As of March 31, 2024, amounts sought in the complaints and demands filed in Oregon and in certain demands made in California totaled approximately $7 billion, excluding any doubling or trebling of damages included in the complaints and those settled. Generally, the complaints filed in California do not specify damages sought and are excluded from this amount. For class actions, amounts specified by the plaintiffs in the complaints include amounts based on estimates of the potential class size, which ultimately may be significantly greater than estimated. Additionally, damages are not limited to the amounts specified in the initially filed complaints as plaintiffs are frequently allowed to amend their complaints to add additional damages and amounts awarded in a court proceeding may be significantly greater than the damages specified. Oregon law provides for doubling of economic and property damages in the event the defendant is found to have acted with gross negligence, recklessness, willfulness or malice. Oregon law provides for trebling of the damages associated with timber, shrubs and produce in the event the defendant is determined to have willfully and intentionally trespassed. Based on available information to date, PacifiCorp believes it is probable that losses will be incurred associated with the 2020 Wildfires. Final determinations of liability will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations, litigation or similar processes, the outcome of which, if adverse, could, in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on PacifiCorp's financial condition. In April 2024, a complaint in the James case described below was filed by 1,000 individual class members seeking $5 billion in economic and $25 billion in noneconomic damages before doubling of economic damages and punitive damages included in the complaint.

The James Case

On September 30, 2020, a class action complaint against PacifiCorp was filed, captioned Jeanyne James et al. v. PacifiCorp et al, in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon ("James"). The complaint was filed by Oregon residents and businesses who seek to represent a class of all Oregon citizens and entities whose real or personal property was harmed beginning on September 7, 2020, by wildfires in Oregon allegedly caused by PacifiCorp. In November 2021, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint to limit the class to include Oregon citizens allegedly impacted by the Santiam Canyon, Echo Mountain Complex, South Obenchain and 242 wildfires. In May 2022, the Multnomah County Circuit Court granted issue class certification and consolidated the James case with several other cases. While PacifiCorp's pre-trial request for immediate appeal of the class certification was denied, it subsequently filed to appeal the class issues as described below.

On April 29, 2024, a complaint against PacifiCorp naming 1,000 individual class members was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon, referencing James as the lead case. The April 2024 James complaint makes damages only allegations seeking economic, noneconomic and punitive damages, as well as doubling of economic damages. PacifiCorp believes the magnitude of damages sought by the class members in the April 2024 James complaint to be of remote likelihood of being awarded based on the amounts awarded in the jury verdicts described below that are being appealed.

In April 2023, the jury trial for James with respect to 17 named plaintiffs began in Multnomah County Circuit Court. In June 2023, the jury issued its verdict finding PacifiCorp liable to the 17 named plaintiffs and to the class with respect to the four wildfires. The jury found PacifiCorp's conduct grossly negligent, reckless and willful as to each plaintiff and the entire class. The jury awarded the 17 named plaintiffs $90 million of damages, including $4 million of economic damages, $68 million of noneconomic damages and $18 million of punitive damages based on a 0.25 multiplier of the economic and noneconomic damages.

In September 2023, the Multnomah County Circuit Court ordered trial dates for three damages phase trials described below wherein plaintiffs in each of the three damages phase trials would present evidence regarding their damages.
In January 2024, the Multnomah County Circuit Court entered a limited judgment and money award for the June 2023 James verdict. The limited judgment awards $92 million of damages based on the amounts awarded by the jury, as well as doubling of the economic damages and offsetting of any insurance proceeds received by plaintiffs. The limited judgment created a lien against PacifiCorp, attaching a debt for the money awards. PacifiCorp posted a supersedeas bond, which stays any effort to seek payment of the judgment pending final resolution of any appeals. Under ORS 82.010, interest at a rate of 9% per annum will accrue on the judgment commencing at the date the judgment was entered until the entire money award is paid, amended or reversed by an appellate court. In January 2024, PacifiCorp filed a notice of appeal associated with the June 2023 verdict in James, including whether the case can proceed as a class action and filed a motion to stay further damages phase trials. On February 14, 2024, the Oregon Court of Appeals denied PacifiCorp's request to stay the damages phase trials. On February 13, 2024, the 17 named plaintiffs filed a notice of cross-appeal as to the January 2024 limited judgment and money award. The appeals process and further actions could take several years.

In January 2024, the jury for the first James damages phase trial awarded nine plaintiffs $62 million of damages, including $6 million of economic damages and $56 million of noneconomic damages. After the jury verdict, the Multnomah County Circuit Court doubled the economic damages to $12 million and added $16 million of punitive damages using the 0.25 multiplier determined by the jury for the June 2023 James verdict bringing the total damages awarded to $84 million. PacifiCorp requested that the Multnomah County Circuit Court judge offset the damage awards by deducting insurance proceeds received by any of the nine plaintiffs, and on March 25, 2024, the Multnomah County Circuit Court granted in large part the offset request. In April 2024, the Multnomah County Circuit Court entered a limited judgment and money award for the January 2024 James verdict. The limited judgment awards $80 million of damages based on the amounts awarded by the jury and offsetting insurance proceeds received by plaintiffs. The limited judgment created a lien against PacifiCorp, attaching a debt for the money awards. In April 2024, PacifiCorp posted a supersedeas bond, which stays any effort to seek payment of the judgment pending final resolution of any appeals. PacifiCorp amended its January 2024 appeal of the June 2023 James verdict to include the January 2024 jury verdict.

In March 2024, the jury for the second James damages phase trial awarded ten plaintiffs $42 million of damages, including $12 million of doubled economic damages, $23 million of noneconomic damages and $7 million of punitive damages using the 0.25 multiplier determined by the jury for the June 2023 James verdict. PacifiCorp has requested that the Multnomah County Circuit Court judge offset the damage awards by deducting insurance proceeds received by any of the ten plaintiffs. PacifiCorp intends to appeal the jury's damage awards associated with the March 2024 jury verdict once judgment is entered.

In March 2024, settlement was reached with five commercial timber plaintiffs in the James consolidated cases, and the jury trial scheduled for April 2024 was cancelled.

2022 McKinney Fire

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, on July 29, 2022, a wildfire began in the Oak Knoll Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County, California located in PacifiCorp's service territory ("2022 McKinney Fire"), burning over 60,000 acres. Third-party reports indicate that the 2022 McKinney Fire resulted in 11 structures damaged; 185 structures destroyed, including residences; 12 injuries; and four fatalities. The cause of the 2022 McKinney Fire is undetermined and remains under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, the California Public Utilities Commission, PacifiCorp and various experts engaged by PacifiCorp.

As of the date of this filing, multiple complaints have been filed in California on behalf of plaintiffs related to the 2022 McKinney Fire. The plaintiffs seek damages for economic losses, noneconomic losses, including mental suffering, emotional distress, personal injury and loss of life, punitive damages, other damages and attorneys' fees, but the amount of damages sought is not specified.

Based on available information to date, PacifiCorp believes it is probable a loss will be incurred associated with the 2022 McKinney Fire. Final determinations of liability will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations, litigation or similar processes.
Estimated Losses for and Settlements Associated with the Wildfires

Based on the facts and circumstances available to PacifiCorp as of the date of this filing, including (i) ongoing cause and origin investigations; (ii) ongoing settlement and mediation discussions; (iii) other litigation matters and upcoming legal proceedings; and (iv) the status of the James case, PacifiCorp recorded cumulative estimated probable losses associated with the 2020 Wildfires and the 2022 McKinney Fire ("Wildfires") of $2,407 million through March 31, 2024. PacifiCorp's cumulative accrual includes estimates of probable losses for fire suppression costs, real and personal property damages, natural resource damages and noneconomic damages such as personal injury damages and loss of life damages that it is reasonably able to estimate at this time and which is subject to change as additional relevant information becomes available.

Through March 31, 2024, PacifiCorp paid $702 million in settlements associated with the 2020 Wildfires and paid an additional $52 million subsequent to March 31, 2024. PacifiCorp has also reached settlement agreements associated with the 2020 Wildfires totaling $23 million that have yet to be paid. As a result of the settlements, various trials have been cancelled.

The following table presents changes in PacifiCorp's liability for estimated losses associated with the Wildfires (in millions):
Three-Month Periods
Ended March 31,
20242023
Beginning balance$1,723 $424 
Accrued losses— 400 
Payments
(18)— 
Ending balance$1,705 $824 

As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $269 million and $4 million of PacifiCorp's liability for estimated losses associated with the Wildfires is classified as a current liability captioned Wildfires liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amounts reflected as current as of March 31, 2024 reflect amounts reasonably expected to be paid out within the next year based on settlements reached as well as ongoing settlement and mediation efforts. The remainder of PacifiCorp's liability for estimated losses associated with the Wildfires as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is classified as a noncurrent liability captioned Wildfires liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table presents changes in PacifiCorp's receivable for expected insurance recoveries associated with the Wildfires (in millions):
Three-Month Periods
Ended March 31,
20242023
Beginning balance$499 $246 
Accruals— 41 
Payments received(350)— 
Ending balance$149 $287 

As of March 31, 2024, $15 million of PacifiCorp's receivable for expected insurance recoveries was included in Other receivables, net while the remaining $134 million was included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2023, $350 million of PacifiCorp's receivable for expected insurance recoveries was included in Other receivables, net while the remaining $149 million was included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Insurance proceeds received to date relate to the 2020 Wildfires.

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, PacifiCorp recognized probable losses net of expected insurance recoveries associated with the Wildfires of $— million and $359 million, respectively. No additional insurance recoveries beyond those accrued and received to date are expected to be available.
It is reasonably possible PacifiCorp will incur material additional losses beyond the amounts accrued for the Wildfires that could have a material adverse effect on PacifiCorp's financial condition. PacifiCorp is currently unable to reasonably estimate a specific range of possible additional losses that could be incurred due to the number of properties and parties involved, including claimants in the class to the James case, the variation in the types of properties and damages and the ultimate outcome of legal actions.

HomeServices Antitrust Cases

HomeServices is currently defending against several antitrust cases, all in federal district courts. In each case, plaintiffs claim HomeServices and certain of its subsidiaries (in one instance, HomeServices and BHE) conspired with co-defendants to artificially inflate real estate commissions by following and enforcing multiple listing service ("MLS") rules that require listing agents to offer a commission split to cooperating agents in order for the property to appear on the MLS ("Cooperative Compensation Rule"). None of the complaints specify damages sought. However, two cases allege Texas state law deceptive trade practices claims, for which plaintiffs have provided written notice of the damages sought totaling approximately $9 billion by separate notice as required by Texas law.

In April 2019, the Burnett (formerly Sitzer) et al. v. HomeServices of America, Inc. et al. complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri (the "Burnett case"). This lawsuit, which was certified as a class in April 2022, was originally brought on behalf of named plaintiffs Joshua Sitzer and Amy Winger against the National Association of Realtors ("NAR"), Anywhere Real Estate (formerly Realogy Holdings Corp.), HomeServices of America, Inc., RE/MAX, LLC, and Keller Williams Realty, Inc. HSF Affiliates, LLC and BHH Affiliates, LLC, each a subsidiary of HomeServices, were subsequently added as defendants. Rhonda Burnett became a lead class plaintiff in June 2021. The jury trial commenced on October 16, 2023, and the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiffs on October 31, 2023, finding that the named defendants participated in a conspiracy to follow and enforce the Cooperative Compensation Rule, which conspiracy had the purpose or effect of raising, inflating, or stabilizing broker commission rates paid by home sellers. The jury further found that the class plaintiffs had proved damages in the amount of $1.8 billion. Joint and several liability applies for the co-defendants. Federal law authorizes trebling of damages and the award of pre-judgment interest and attorney fees. Prior to the trial, Anywhere Real Estate (formerly Realogy Holdings Corp.) and RE/MAX, LLC reached settlement agreements with the plaintiffs. Subsequent to the trial, settlements were reached by Keller Williams and NAR on February 1, 2024 and March 15, 2024, respectively. All settlements are subject to court approval, which is scheduled for May 9, 2024, except for the NAR settlement for which the date is November 26, 2024. Final judgment has not yet been entered by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

In April 2024, HomeServices agreed to terms with the plaintiffs to settle all claims asserted against HomeServices, HSF Affiliates, LLC and BHH Affiliates, LLC in the Burnett case as part of a proposed nationwide class settlement. The final settlement agreement, which includes scheduled payments over the next four years aggregating $250 million, has yet to be filed with the court and is ultimately subject to court approval. HomeServices recognized an after-tax charge of approximately $140 million during the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. If the settlement is not approved by the court, HomeServices intends to vigorously appeal on multiple grounds the jury's findings and damage award in the Burnett case, including whether the case can proceed as a class action. The appeals process and further actions could take several years.

Guarantees

The Company has entered into guarantees as part of the normal course of business and the sale or transfer of certain assets. These guarantees are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial results.
PAC  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments

PacifiCorp has the following firm commitments that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Fuel Contracts

During the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, PacifiCorp entered into certain coal supply and transportation agreements totaling $1.9 billion through 2030.

Environmental Laws and Regulations

PacifiCorp is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal, wildfire prevention and mitigation and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. PacifiCorp believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Lower Klamath Hydroelectric Project

In November 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") issued a license surrender order for the Lower Klamath Project, which was accepted by the Klamath River Renewal Corporation ("KRRC") and the states of Oregon and California ("States") in December 2022, along with the transfer of the Lower Klamath Project dams. Although PacifiCorp no longer owned the Lower Klamath Project, PacifiCorp continued to operate the facilities under an operation and maintenance agreement with the KRRC until each facility was ready for removal. PacifiCorp's obligations under the operations and maintenance agreement terminated in January 2024. Removal of the Copco No. 2 facility was completed in November 2023, and removal of the remaining three dams (J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1 and Iron Gate) began in January 2024 and is anticipated to be completed in late 2024. The KRRC has $450 million in funding available for dam removal and restoration; $200 million collected from PacifiCorp's Oregon and California customers and $250 million in California bond funds. PacifiCorp and the States have also agreed to equally share cost overruns that may occur above the initial $450 million in funding. Specifically, PacifiCorp and the States have agreed to equally fund an initial $45 million contingency fund and equally share any additional costs above that amount to ensure dam removal and restoration is complete.

Legal Matters

PacifiCorp is party to a variety of legal actions, including litigation, arising out of the normal course of business, some of which assert claims for damages in substantial amounts and are described below. For certain legal actions, parties at times may seek to impose fines, penalties and other costs.

Pursuant to ASC 450, "Contingencies," a provision for a loss contingency is recorded when it is probable a liability is likely to occur and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. PacifiCorp evaluates the related range of reasonably estimated losses and records a loss based on its best estimate within that range or the lower end of the range if there is no better estimate.
Wildfires

In California, under inverse condemnation, courts have held that investor-owned utilities can be liable for real and personal property damages from wildfires without the utility being found negligent and regardless of fault. California law also permits inverse condemnation plaintiffs to recover reasonable attorney fees and costs. In both Oregon and California, PacifiCorp has equipment in areas accessed through special use permits, easements or similar agreements that may contain provisions requiring it to pay for damages caused by its equipment regardless of fault. Even if inverse condemnation or other provisions do not apply, PacifiCorp could be found liable for all damages.

2020 Wildfires

In September 2020, a severe weather event resulting in high winds, low humidity and warm temperatures contributed to several major wildfires, which resulted in real and personal property and natural resource damage, personal injuries and loss of life and widespread power outages in Oregon and Northern California. The wildfires spread across certain parts of PacifiCorp's service territory and surrounding areas across multiple counties in Oregon and California, including Siskiyou County, California; Jackson County, Oregon; Douglas County, Oregon; Marion County, Oregon; Lincoln County, Oregon; and Klamath County, Oregon, burning over 500,000 acres in aggregate. Third-party reports for these wildfires ("2020 Wildfires") indicate over 2,000 structures destroyed, including residences; several structures damaged; multiple individuals injured; and several fatalities.

Investigations into the cause and origin of each wildfire are complex and ongoing and have been or are being conducted by various entities, including the U.S. Forest Service, the California Public Utilities Commission, the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Oregon Department of Justice, PacifiCorp and various experts engaged by PacifiCorp.

As of the date of this filing, a significant number of complaints and demands alleging similar claims related to the 2020 Wildfires have been filed in Oregon and California, including a class action complaint in Oregon for which certain jury verdicts were issued as described below. The plaintiffs seek damages for economic losses, noneconomic losses, including mental suffering, emotional distress, personal injury and loss of life, punitive damages, other damages and attorneys' fees. Several insurance carriers have filed subrogation complaints in Oregon and California with allegations similar to those made in the aforementioned complaints. Additionally, the U.S. and Oregon Departments of Justice have informed PacifiCorp that they are contemplating filing actions against PacifiCorp in connection with certain of the Oregon 2020 Wildfires. PacifiCorp is actively cooperating with the U.S. and Oregon Departments of Justice on resolving these alleged claims through alternative dispute resolution.

As of March 31, 2024, amounts sought in the complaints and demands filed in Oregon and in certain demands made in California totaled approximately $7 billion, excluding any doubling or trebling of damages included in the complaints and those settled. Generally, the complaints filed in California do not specify damages sought and are excluded from this amount. For class actions, amounts specified by the plaintiffs in the complaints include amounts based on estimates of the potential class size, which ultimately may be significantly greater than estimated. Additionally, damages are not limited to the amounts specified in the initially filed complaints as plaintiffs are frequently allowed to amend their complaints to add additional damages and amounts awarded in a court proceeding may be significantly greater than the damages specified. Oregon law provides for doubling of economic and property damages in the event the defendant is found to have acted with gross negligence, recklessness, willfulness or malice. Oregon law provides for trebling of the damages associated with timber, shrubs and produce in the event the defendant is determined to have willfully and intentionally trespassed. Based on available information to date, PacifiCorp believes it is probable that losses will be incurred associated with the 2020 Wildfires. Final determinations of liability will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations, litigation or similar processes, the outcome of which, if adverse, could, in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on PacifiCorp's financial condition. In April 2024, a complaint in the James case described below was filed by 1,000 individual class members seeking $5 billion in economic and $25 billion in noneconomic damages before doubling of economic damages and punitive damages included in the complaint.
The James Case

On September 30, 2020, a class action complaint against PacifiCorp was filed, captioned Jeanyne James et al. v. PacifiCorp et al, in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon ("James"). The complaint was filed by Oregon residents and businesses who seek to represent a class of all Oregon citizens and entities whose real or personal property was harmed beginning on September 7, 2020, by wildfires in Oregon allegedly caused by PacifiCorp. In November 2021, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint to limit the class to include Oregon citizens allegedly impacted by the Santiam Canyon, Echo Mountain Complex, South Obenchain and 242 wildfires. In May 2022, the Multnomah County Circuit Court granted issue class certification and consolidated the James case with several other cases. While PacifiCorp's pre-trial request for immediate appeal of the class certification was denied, it subsequently filed to appeal the class issues as described below.

On April 29, 2024, a complaint against PacifiCorp naming 1,000 individual class members was filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Oregon, referencing James as the lead case. The April 2024 James complaint makes damages only allegations seeking economic, noneconomic and punitive damages, as well as doubling of economic damages. PacifiCorp believes the magnitude of damages sought by the class members in the April 2024 James complaint to be of remote likelihood of being awarded based on the amounts awarded in the jury verdicts described below that are being appealed.

In April 2023, the jury trial for James with respect to 17 named plaintiffs began in Multnomah County Circuit Court. In June 2023, the jury issued its verdict finding PacifiCorp liable to the 17 named plaintiffs and to the class with respect to the four wildfires. The jury found PacifiCorp's conduct grossly negligent, reckless and willful as to each plaintiff and the entire class. The jury awarded the 17 named plaintiffs $90 million of damages, including $4 million of economic damages, $68 million of noneconomic damages and $18 million of punitive damages based on a 0.25 multiplier of the economic and noneconomic damages.

In September 2023, the Multnomah County Circuit Court ordered trial dates for three damages phase trials described below wherein plaintiffs in each of the three damages phase trials would present evidence regarding their damages.

In January 2024, the Multnomah County Circuit Court entered a limited judgment and money award for the June 2023 James verdict. The limited judgment awards $92 million of damages based on the amounts awarded by the jury, as well as doubling of the economic damages and offsetting of any insurance proceeds received by plaintiffs. The limited judgment created a lien against PacifiCorp, attaching a debt for the money awards. PacifiCorp posted a supersedeas bond, which stays any effort to seek payment of the judgment pending final resolution of any appeals. Under ORS 82.010, interest at a rate of 9% per annum will accrue on the judgment commencing at the date the judgment was entered until the entire money award is paid, amended or reversed by an appellate court. In January 2024, PacifiCorp filed a notice of appeal associated with the June 2023 verdict in James, including whether the case can proceed as a class action and filed a motion to stay further damages phase trials. On February 14, 2024, the Oregon Court of Appeals denied PacifiCorp's request to stay the damages phase trials. On February 13, 2024, the 17 named plaintiffs filed a notice of cross-appeal as to the January 2024 limited judgment and money award. The appeals process and further actions could take several years.

In January 2024, the jury for the first James damages phase trial awarded nine plaintiffs $62 million of damages, including $6 million of economic damages and $56 million of noneconomic damages. After the jury verdict, the Multnomah County Circuit Court doubled the economic damages to $12 million and added $16 million of punitive damages using the 0.25 multiplier determined by the jury for the June 2023 James verdict bringing the total damages awarded to $84 million. PacifiCorp requested that the Multnomah County Circuit Court judge offset the damage awards by deducting insurance proceeds received by any of the nine plaintiffs, and on March 25, 2024, the Multnomah County Circuit Court granted in large part the offset request. In April 2024, the Multnomah County Circuit Court entered a limited judgment and money award for the January 2024 James verdict. The limited judgment awards $80 million of damages based on the amounts awarded by the jury and offsetting insurance proceeds received by plaintiffs. The limited judgment created a lien against PacifiCorp, attaching a debt for the money awards. In April 2024, PacifiCorp posted a supersedeas bond, which stays any effort to seek payment of the judgment pending final resolution of any appeals. PacifiCorp amended its January 2024 appeal of the June 2023 James verdict to include the January 2024 jury verdict.

In March 2024, the jury for the second James damages phase trial awarded ten plaintiffs $42 million of damages, including $12 million of doubled economic damages, $23 million of noneconomic damages and $7 million of punitive damages using the 0.25 multiplier determined by the jury for the June 2023 James verdict. PacifiCorp has requested that the Multnomah County Circuit Court judge offset the damage awards by deducting insurance proceeds received by any of the ten plaintiffs. PacifiCorp intends to appeal the jury's damage awards associated with the March 2024 jury verdict once judgment is entered.
In March 2024, settlement was reached with five commercial timber plaintiffs in the James consolidated cases, and the jury trial scheduled for April 2024 was cancelled.

2022 McKinney Fire

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, on July 29, 2022, a wildfire began in the Oak Knoll Ranger District of the Klamath National Forest in Siskiyou County, California located in PacifiCorp's service territory ("2022 McKinney Fire"), burning over 60,000 acres. Third-party reports indicate that the 2022 McKinney Fire resulted in 11 structures damaged; 185 structures destroyed, including residences; 12 injuries; and four fatalities. The cause of the 2022 McKinney Fire is undetermined and remains under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service, the California Public Utilities Commission, PacifiCorp and various experts engaged by PacifiCorp.

As of the date of this filing, multiple complaints have been filed in California on behalf of plaintiffs related to the 2022 McKinney Fire. The plaintiffs seek damages for economic losses, noneconomic losses, including mental suffering, emotional distress, personal injury and loss of life, punitive damages, other damages and attorneys' fees, but the amount of damages sought is not specified.

Based on available information to date, PacifiCorp believes it is probable a loss will be incurred associated with the 2022 McKinney Fire. Final determinations of liability will only be made following the completion of comprehensive investigations, litigation or similar processes.

Estimated Losses for and Settlements Associated with the Wildfires

Based on the facts and circumstances available to PacifiCorp as of the date of this filing, including (i) ongoing cause and origin investigations; (ii) ongoing settlement and mediation discussions; (iii) other litigation matters and upcoming legal proceedings; and (iv) the status of the James case, PacifiCorp recorded cumulative estimated probable losses associated with the 2020 Wildfires and the 2022 McKinney Fire ("Wildfires") of $2,407 million through March 31, 2024. PacifiCorp's cumulative accrual includes estimates of probable losses for fire suppression costs, real and personal property damages, natural resource damages and noneconomic damages such as personal injury damages and loss of life damages that it is reasonably able to estimate at this time and which is subject to change as additional relevant information becomes available.

Through March 31, 2024, PacifiCorp paid $702 million in settlements associated with the 2020 Wildfires and paid an additional $52 million subsequent to March 31, 2024. PacifiCorp has also reached settlement agreements associated with the 2020 Wildfires totaling $23 million that have yet to be paid. As a result of the settlements, various trials have been cancelled.

The following table presents changes in PacifiCorp's liability for estimated losses associated with the Wildfires (in millions):
Three-Month Periods
Ended March 31,
20242023
Beginning balance$1,723 $424 
Accrued losses— 400 
Payments
(18)— 
Ending balance$1,705 $824 
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $269 million and $4 million of PacifiCorp's liability for estimated losses associated with the Wildfires is classified as a current liability captioned Wildfires liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amounts reflected as current as of March 31, 2024 reflect amounts reasonably expected to be paid out within the next year based on settlements reached as well as ongoing settlement and mediation efforts. The remainder of PacifiCorp's liability for estimated losses associated with the Wildfires as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 is classified as a noncurrent liability captioned Wildfires liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table presents changes in PacifiCorp's receivable for expected insurance recoveries associated with the Wildfires (in millions):
Three-Month Periods
Ended March 31,
20242023
Beginning balance$499 $246 
Accruals— 41 
Payments received(350)— 
Ending balance$149 $287 
As of March 31, 2024, $15 million of PacifiCorp's receivable for expected insurance recoveries was included in Other receivables, net while the remaining $134 million was included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2023, $350 million of PacifiCorp's receivable for expected insurance recoveries was included in Other receivables, net while the remaining $149 million was included in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Insurance proceeds received to date relate to the 2020 Wildfires.

During the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, PacifiCorp recognized probable losses net of expected insurance recoveries associated with the Wildfires of $— million and $359 million, respectively. No additional insurance recoveries beyond those accrued and received to date are expected to be available.

It is reasonably possible PacifiCorp will incur material additional losses beyond the amounts accrued for the Wildfires that could have a material adverse effect on PacifiCorp's financial condition. PacifiCorp is currently unable to reasonably estimate a specific range of possible additional losses that could be incurred due to the number of properties and parties involved, including claimants in the class to the James case, the variation in the types of properties and damages and the ultimate outcome of legal actions.

Guarantees

PacifiCorp has entered into guarantees as part of the normal course of business and the sale or transfer of certain assets. These guarantees are not expected to have a material impact on PacifiCorp's consolidated financial results.
MEC  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Laws and Regulations

MidAmerican Energy is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality, coal ash disposal and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. MidAmerican Energy believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Matters

MidAmerican Energy is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. MidAmerican Energy does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its financial results.

Transmission Rates

MidAmerican Energy's wholesale transmission rates are set annually using formula rates approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") subject to true-up for actual cost of service. In November 2013 and February 2015, a coalition of intervenors filed successive complaints with the FERC requesting that the base return on equity ("ROE") used to determine rates in effect prior to September 2016 no longer be found just and reasonable and sought to reduce the base ROE. In August 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued an opinion vacating all orders related to the complaints and remanding them back to the FERC. MidAmerican Energy cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these matters or the amount of potential refunds.
MidAmerican Funding, LLC  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
MidAmerican Funding is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. MidAmerican Funding does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.
Refer to Note 9 of MidAmerican Energy's Notes to Financial Statements.
NPC  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Laws and Regulations

Nevada Power is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding climate change, renewable portfolio standards, air and water quality, emissions performance standards, coal combustion byproduct disposal, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact Nevada Power's current and future operations. Nevada Power believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Matters

Nevada Power is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Nevada Power does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.
SPPC  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Laws and Regulations

Sierra Pacific is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding climate change, renewable portfolio standards, air and water quality, emissions performance standards, coal combustion byproduct disposal, hazardous and solid waste disposal, protected species and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact Sierra Pacific's current and future operations. Sierra Pacific believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.
Legal Matters

Sierra Pacific is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Sierra Pacific does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.
EEGH  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Laws and Regulations

Eastern Energy Gas is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. Eastern Energy Gas believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Matters

Eastern Energy Gas is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. Eastern Energy Gas does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.
EGTS  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental Laws and Regulations

EGTS is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations regarding air quality, climate change, emissions performance standards, water quality and other environmental matters that have the potential to impact its current and future operations. EGTS believes it is in material compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Matters

EGTS is party to a variety of legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. EGTS does not believe that such normal and routine litigation will have a material impact on its consolidated financial results.