Texas Panhandle wildfire: Osmose Utilities declines testimony [Video]

THE TEXAS TRIBUNE – A company hired to inspect utility poles in the Panhandle declined to testify before Texas lawmakers Wednesday, as part of the state’s inquiry into the Smokehouse Creek fire — the largest wildfire in state history that burned more than 1 million acres and killed two.

Audience members scoffed when the committee announced Osmose Utilities Services, a Georgia-based company contracted by Xcel Energy to perform safety inspections, skipped its chance to address lawmakers during the three days of public hearings in Pampa.

State Rep. Ken King, a Canadian Republican, read a statement from the company at the start of the second day of hearings.

“Although Osmose cannot attend the Committee meeting this week, we welcome the opportunity to discuss fire mitigation-related service offerings and recommended best practices in the State of Texas with your staff should the Committee have additional questions,” the …