Wildfire Mitigation plans approved for three Oregon electric utilities
Three of Oregon’s largest electric utilities have had their wildfire mitigation plans (WMPs) approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission.
The utilities – Idaho Power, PacifiCorp (Pacific Power), and Portland General Electric (PGE) said their 2023 WMPs reflect changes in the wildfire mitigation landscape and are the second ones to be filed since Senate Bill 762 passed, which established formal standards for electric utility WMPs, in the 2021 legislative session.
“Although some of Oregon’s regulated utilities have been developing wildfire mitigation plans for years and reporting to the PUC informally, this is only the second formal filing to the Oregon PUC,” said Megan Decker, PUC Chair. “We recognize the progress Oregon utilities have made from the first plans filed last year and look forward to the continued evolution of these plans.”
SB 762 and Oregon administrative rules require WMPS to provide certain information in their plans, including the identification of high-risk areas within the utility’s service territory and what actions can be taken to minimize those risks, as well as what protocols exist for public safety power shutoffs, and how utilities determined which risk reduction strategies to pursue.
The three utilities filed their 2023 WMPs before the end of 2022, as required by law. The PUC staff and an independent evaluator reviewed each plan to ensure they met the law’s requirements. Additionally, staff will make recommendations that will allow the utilities to continue addressing future risks. Staff also met with the utilities to evaluate key topics like asset health, risk mitigation, vegetation management, system hardening, situational awareness, community engagement, and safety protocols.
“As the PUC staff noted, the 2023 Wildfire Mitigation Plans show how the utilities are continuing to reduce the risk of ignitions,” PUC Commissioner Letha Tawney said. “The in-depth review of the plans also demonstrates how utilities in Oregon – like utilities across the West – must continue adapting to the changing landscape to keep communities safe.”
