HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmail from Naveed Paydar - Press Release - CPUC Acts to Further Protect State from Wildfires Menchaca, Clarissa
From: Paydar, Naveed <Naveed.Paydar@cpuc.ca.gov>
Sent: Friday, October 26, 2018 12:50 PM
To: Clerk of the Board
Subject: Press Release: CPUC Acts to Further Protect State from Wildfires Related to Utility
Electric Facilities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
CPUC ACTS TO FURTHER PROTECT STATE FROM WILDFIRES
RELATED TO UTILITY ELECTRIC FACILITIES
SAN FRANCISCO, October 25, 2018 - The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today acted to
further protect the state from wildfires related to electric facilities by setting the framework to provide guidance
on initial utility wildfire mitigation plans, and inviting the input of all stakeholders in guiding its approach.
Senate Bill 901 requires electric utilities to prepare and submit wildfire mitigation plans that describe the
utilities' plans to prevent, combat, and respond to wildfires affecting their service territories. Through the
proceeding it opened today, the CPUC will review the initial plans, and develop and refine the content of and
process for review and implementation of wildfire mitigation plans to be filed in future years.
"This is the first of many steps the CPUC will take to implement Senate Bill 901, which addresses a number of
issues in our jurisdiction related to wildfires," said CPUC President Michael Picker. "Our immediate task is to
develop the first round of the annual utility wildfire mitigation plans and to consider requirements for
subsequent plans in the future. This issue is vital for the safety of California and we will work quickly and
diligently to get it done."
Investor-owned utilities have been required to develop wildfire mitigation plans since 2017. Senate Bill 901
modified those existing requirements in a number of ways, including requiring a more nuanced and detailed list
of information that the utilities must provide in their plans. In addition, the CPUC will review the plans, modify
the plans when necessary, and eventually adopt plans. The bill also directs the CPUC to pursue enforcement
actions for non-compliance with the plans.
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The utilities that are required to participate in this proceeding are Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Southern
California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric, Liberty Utilities/CalPeco Electric, Bear Valley Electric Service,
and Pacific Power.
The CPUC invites the input of all stakeholders in guiding its approach. The CPUC has a Memorandum of
Understanding with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), and has long
worked with CAL FIRE on improving wildfire mitigation. Based on that work and input from the parties, the
proceeding opened today will include development of proposed guidance for what the electric utilities' wildfire
mitigation plans should contain.,
The proceeding opened today is the first step in implementing one central aspect of the sweeping requirements
of Senate Bill 901. Because of California's recent experience that the wildfire season is beginning sooner and
ending later, it is important to have the initial set of electric utility wildfire mitigation plans approved as close to
the beginning of summer 2019 as possible, as directed in the legislation. As such, at times the proceeding may
move very quickly, with either shortened deadlines or fewer rounds of input. All parties should be prepared to
act on short deadlines so the CPUC can meet the legislative mandate, consistent with due process.
"Wildfires represent a serious and pervasive threat to the State, which will only intensify as our climate further
changes," said Commissioner Clifford Rechtschaffen. "The proceeding we opened today is the .first step in
ensuring that the wildfire mitigation plans of our electric utilities meet the very high standards set forth in
Senate Bill 901."
The proposal voted on is available at:
http://does.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M233/K780/233780452.PDF.
The CPUC regulates services and utilities, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians' access to safe
and reliable utility infrastructure and services. For more information on the CPUC, please visit
www.cpuc.ca.gov.
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