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Wildfires

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.

Regulations

 

Utility Resources

CPUC and Utility Electric Safety Reports

For de-energization reports, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov/deenergization

Other Information

  • Nov. 24, 2020: CPUC President’s letter to PG&E regarding CPUC staff conducting fact-finding to determine whether a recommendation to place PG&E into the enhanced oversight and enforcement process that was a condition of approval of PG&E’s plan of reorganization, is warranted due to what appears to be a pattern of vegetation and asset management deficiencies that implicate PG&E’s ability to provide safe, reliable service to customers. 
  • 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

Resources

 

Immigration Guide