Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans (SB 901)

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 a proceeding it opened on Oct. 25, 2018 (R.18-10-007), 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 the CPUC's jurisdiction related to wildfires.

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.

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 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 will include development of proposed guidance for what the electric utilities' wildfire mitigation plans should contain.

The CPUC invites the input of all stakeholders in guiding its approach.

CPUC Actions on SB 901 and Wildfires - Fact Sheet and Timeline

Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans

On Feb. 6, 2019, utilities submitted their wildfire mitigation plans:

Party Comments on Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans

Utility Replies to Party Comments

May 29, 2019: Revised Proposed Decisions on Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans (Originally Issued April 29, 2019)

Guidance Proposal - clean and red-lined
Pacific Gas and Electric Company - clean and red-lined
Southern California Edison - clean and red-lined
San Diego Gas & Electric - clean and red-lined
Liberty Utilities/CalPeco Electric, Bear Valley Electric Service (a Division of Golden State Water Company), Pacific Power (a Division of PacifiCorp) - clean and red-lined
Trans Bay Cable LLC, and NextEra Energy Transmission West, LLC, contain the elements required under Senate Bill 901 - clean and red-lined
Read our press release
Read our Fact Sheet

On May 30, 2019, the CPUC, in its ongoing efforts to expeditiously implement Senate Bill 901, approved utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans for 2019 to ensure that clear rules are in place as early as possible to prepare for the 2019 fire season.

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Provide Input

We want to hear from you about wildfires. We are examining how well California's electric utilities are prepared for wildfires and we want your input. The wildfire plans will include details about wildfire prevention strategies for electric utilities; maintenance and inspection of lines; outreach to first responders and customers, including low income, elderly, disabled, and those with limited English; and, restoration of service after a wildfire.

Tell us what you think:

Send comments in email or letter form to public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov before April 30, 2019.