Commissioner Miller talks investigation into utility companies alleged connection with 2024 Panhandle wildfires

AUSTIN, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller spoke with Myhighplains over his support of an investigation by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton into the alleged role multiple utility companies may have had in major wildfires that burned through counties in the Texas Panhandle in 2024.

As was reported by Myhighplains, in August, Paxton launched in investigation into multiple utility companies and their alleged roles in the Smokehouse Creek Fire and the Windy Deuce Fire.

In February 2024, Myhighplains reported on the extensive damage done by the Smokehouse Creek Fire in Hutchinson County and the Windy Deuce Fire in Moore County. The fires burned over a total of 1 million acres, killed at least three people, and caused the death of thousands of cattle.

On Monday, Miller sat down in an interview with Myhighplains and gave some of his thoughts into the investigation.

“There’s livestock that’s gone the cost of, you know, disposal of the livestock is, there’s no, no money to cover that, you know,” said Miller. “How do you replace 100 year old homestead? You can’t put the price on that. So it’s time that these families got some closure financially. Are compensated.”

During the interview, Miller shared that he asked the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor to intervene and do an interim study as well as subpoena Xcel. The subpoena would have Xcel testify before a committee.

In an Opinion Editorial, Miller announced his support for Paxton’s investigation into what he said was “possible negligence by power companies in the Smokehouse Creek and Windy Deuce fires.”

“I’ve always put one thing above all: protecting the hardworking men and women who keep our state running. Right now, they’re under attack, not from foreign competitors or federal regulators, but from the devastation caused by wildfires and the delays and denials by those who should be stepping up,” said Miller.

Miller said Attorney General Paxton has issued civil investigative demands to Xcel Energy, Osmose Utilities Services, and Southwestern Public Services Company.

“Whether or not an investigation happens, Xcel has a responsibility it can’t shirk. The company pledged to make ranchers whole again. That promise wasn’t tied to anything. It was an absolute commitment. Ranchers can’t rebuild their fences with corporate press releases. They can’t graze their cattle on promises that go unfulfilled. Promises don’t replace barbed wire, and they don’t buy hay,” said Miller.

Starting in 2025, various companies started a settlement process for those who were impacted by the fires. Various lawsuits were also submitted alleging negligence by utility companies.

Myhighplains recently reached out to Xcel Energy following Miller’s Opinion Editorial.

Xcel Energy said in a letter to Miller saying that their team is working to compensate those affected by the fire.

“While we do not believe we acted negligently in maintaining and operating our infrastructure, in the aftermath of the fire, we immediately set up a claims process and began paying farmers and ranchers affected. We voluntarily developed this claims program to offer landowners a quicker and less litigious path to compensation compared to filing a formal lawsuit,” said Xcel officials.

Xcel Energy’s letter to Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller can be found below: