Defendant
1 case as defendant.
Tucson Electric Power Company (TEP) is an electric utility company headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, and was founded in 1892. It is a subsidiary of UNS Energy Corporation, which in turn is owned by Fortis Inc., a Canadian-based international diversified electric and gas utility holding company. TEP serves more than 458,000 customers in the Tucson metropolitan area and surrounding communities in Southern Arizona. TEP has approximately 1,401 employees.
TEP's primary operations involve the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. The company utilizes a mix of natural gas, coal-fired, and renewable generation resources, including wind, solar, and battery storage systems. TEP also actively invests in and offers energy-saving programs and products, such as smart thermostats and energy-efficient lighting, and supports initiatives for electric vehicles and "Energy Smart Homes."
In terms of patent litigation, Tucson Electric Power Company is an operating company that has appeared as a defendant in one tracked case. The single case, Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. v. Tucson Electric Power Company, was filed in 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. This indicates a posture of defending against patent infringement assertions rather than initiating them.
The notable case, Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. v. Tucson Electric Power Company, is part of a larger multidistrict litigation concerning mercury emissions reduction technologies in coal-fired power plants. Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. (ME2C Environmental) asserts that TEP and other utility companies infringed on patents related to their SEA® (Sorbent Enhancement Additive) Technologies, which are used to capture mercury pollution. The lawsuit seeks damages, costs, legal expenses, and an injunction against further infringement. The patents asserted in this action include U.S. Patent Nos. 10,343,114, 10,589,225, 10,596,517, 10,668,430, and 10,933,370.
A patent infringement suit by Midwest Energy Emissions Corp. against Tucson Electric Power Company, filed in the District of Arizona and later consolidated into an MDL.