On this page you will find information about the CPUC's continual efforts to identify ways to help reduce the likelihood of utility involvement in wildfires, and to help protect consumers. If you need information on disaster relief protections for customers of affected areas during any state of emergency, please read our blog.
Wildfire Fund and Safety Certificates
On July 12, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB)
1054 (Holden). AB 1054, among other actions, provides for a Wildfire
Fund, which electrical corporations may access upon meeting specified
requirements. Electrical corporations must opt into the fund, make
financial commitments, and may seek a safety certification. Read more
CPUC Wildfire Safety Division Seeks Public Comment
on Proposed Criteria for Safety Evaluators
Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans
On Oct. 25, 2018, the CPUC 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. Read more.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) / De-Energization
The State's investor-owned utilities have general authority to shut off electric power to protect public safety under California law. Utilities exercise this authority during severe wildfire threat conditions as a preventative measure of last resort through Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). On Dec. 13, 2018, the CPUC opened a new Rulemaking (R.18-12-005) to examine utilities' PSPS processes. Read more.
Rulemaking on Criteria and Methodology for Wildfire Cost Recovery
The CPUC's R.19-01-006 is an Order Instituting Rulemaking to Implement Public Utilities Code Section 451.2 Regarding Criteria and Methodology for Wildfire Cost Recovery Pursuant to Senate Bill 901 (2018). Read More
Investigation into October 2019 PSPS Events
On Nov. 13, 2019, the CPUC opened an investigation (I.19-11-013) to examine recent Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) events and ensure utilities are held accountable for their actions during these events. Read More
Rulemaking Regarding Emergency Disaster Relief Program
The CPUC established R.18-03-011 to adopt an emergency disaster relief program for entities under its jurisdiction. Read More
Staff Investigations
The CPUC is conducting staff investigations of certain wildfires to assess the compliance of electric facilities with applicable rules and regulations (CAL FIRE or the local fire district determines the sources of ignition of the fires and the way that the fires spread). The wildfires under staff investigation are:
- Dec. 17, 2019: The CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division filed a proposed settlement addressing issues involving the role of PG&E facilities in igniting fires in its service territory in 2017 and 2018, including wildfires that occurred in Butte, Calaveras, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, Nevada, Sonoma, and Yuba Counties, and the deadly 2018 Camp Fire.
- Oct. 23, 2019: the Kincaid Fire in PG&E's territory
- Oct. 10, 2019: the Saddleridge Fire in Southern California Edison’s territory.
- October 2019
- November 2018: the Camp Fire in PG&E's service territory; and the Woolsey Fire in Southern California Edison's service territory.
- In December 2017, there were the following wildfires in Southern California Edison's service territory: Rye, Thomas, Liberty, and Meyers.
Regulations
- July 12, 2018: CPUC Strengthens Utility Public Notice Requirements for De-Energizing in Emergencies
- Draft Resolution ESRB-8
- Comments on Draft Resolution ESRB-8
- Reply Comments on Draft Resolution ESRB-8
- Resolution ESRB-8
- Utility Public Outreach, Notification, and Mitigation Plans for Public Safety De-energization Events:
- General Order 95 contains rules for the design, construction, maintenance, inspection, repair, and replacement of overhead utility facilities, including electric utility facilities, communication facilities, and cable television facilities. General Order 95, Rule 37, Table 1 addresses the above ground clearances of conductors, and the clearances between conductors and other structures/vegetation.
- Public Utilities Code 316 and General Order 95, Rule 19 govern the preservation of evidence for investigation in accordance with the Public Utilities Code, including.
- Order Instituting Rulemaking to Consider Specified Amendments to Rule 18 of General Order 95 (R.16-02-001)
Utility Resources
Other Information
- Southern California Edison (SCE), San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) have notified the CPUC that they have each opted in to the wildfire insurance fund created by Assembly Bill (AB) 1054 (2019). This election requires them to collectively contribute $10.5 billion to the wildfire fund. The fund may be used to cover the costs of future wildfires related to utility infrastructure in California, but does not address costs resulting from wildfires that occurred prior to the passage of AB 1054, which was signed into law on July 13, 2019. In order to access the benefits of the fund, utilities must receive an annual safety certification from the CPUC tied to executive compensation for safety performance, among other things.
- PG&E Request for Safety Certification
Fire and Utility Pole News
- Dec. 21, 2018: CPUC Issues Proposals to Evaluate Safe Energy Service
- Dec. 13, 2018: CPUC to Further Examine Electric Utility De-Energization
- Nov. 26, 2018: CPUC to Hold State's First Wildfire Technology Innovation Summit March 20-21, 2019
- Nov. 16, 2018: PG&E's Second Electric Safety Incident Report to the CPUC re: Camp Fire
- Nov. 15, 2018: CPUC Issues President Statement on Wildfires and Provides Information on Wildfire Actions
- Nov. 15, 2018: In the interest of transparency and in an abundance of caution, CPUC President Michael Picker, filed a Notice of Communications. The meetings described do not constitute ex parte communications because there was not a discussion of a formal proceeding.
- Nov. 14, 2018: CPUC Provides Wildfire-Impacted Customers with Information on Automatic Protections
- Nov. 8, 2018: Southern California Edison Electric Safety Incident Report to the CPUC re: Woolsey Fire
- Nov. 8, 2018: PG&E Electric Safety Incident Report to the CPUC re: Camp Fire
- Oct. 26, 2018: Joint Letter from CPUC, Cal OES, and CAL FIRE re: Utility Public Safety Power Shut-Off
- Oct. 25, 2018: CPUC Acts to Further Protect State from Wildfires Related to Utility Electric Facilities
- Sept. 19, 2018: SED-CAL FIRE Joint Assessment and Recommendation Report on Fire-Wind Map
- May 25, 2018: CPUC Continues Public Safety Actions as Climate Increases Risk of Wildfires
- March 22, 2018: CPUC To Evaluate Adoption Of Post-Disaster Consumer Protection Measures
- Jan. 19, 2018: CPUC Approves Statewide Fire-Threat Map
- Jan. 11, 2018: CPUC Enacts Emergency Consumer Protections for December 2017 Wildfire Victims
- Dec. 14, 2017: CPUC Adopts New Fire-Safety Regulations
- Nov. 30, 2017: CPUC Denies SDG&E's Request to Recover Wildfire Expenses
- Nov. 9, 2017: CPUC Orders Utilities to Implement Protections to Consumers Impacted by Wildfires
- June 29, 2017: CPUC to Examine Utility Pole Safety and Competition, Considers Creation of Pole Database
- April 25, 2017: CPUC Issues Staff Citations Totaling $8.3 Million to PG&E For Butte Fire
- Dec. 5, 2016: CPUC to Hold Public Hearings on SDG&E's Wildfire Cost Recovery Request
- May 26, 2016: CPUC Fire Map Depicts Areas of Elevated Hazards in State; First Step in Creation of Tools to Help Manage Resources
- March 8, 2016: CPUC Hosts En Banc on Utility Pole Safety
- Sept. 19, 2013: CPUC Enhances Safety, Issues $51.5 Million in Penalties and Remediation Against SCE and NextG for Malibu Canyon Fire
- May 20, 2013: CPUC Staff Enter Settlement Agreement Of $37 Million With Southern California Edison Over 2007
- Sept. 13, 2012: CPUC Approves $12 Million Settlement with Telecommunications Companies Over 2007 Malibu Fire
- Jan. 12, 2012: CPUC Acts to Reduce Fire Hazards Associated With Overhead Power Lines and Communication Facilities
- April 22, 2010: CPUC Approves Witch, Rice, and Guejito Fire Settlements
- Nov. 12, 2008: CPUC to Investigate 2007 Fires to Determine Whether Utility Companies Violated Safety Regulations
Resources