Committee Weighs Wildfire Safety Certification for Electric Utilities; Dash‑1 Amendment Clarifies It Does Not Create Immunity

The House Committee on Judiciary conducted an extended March 18 public hearing on House Bill 3666 (dash 1), a measure to create a wildfire safety certification for electric utilities and to set standards and auditing procedures under the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC).

Sponsor Rep. Pam Marsh described HB 3666 as a response to escalating wildfire risk and gaps in the existing mitigation process. The bill would require investor‑owned utilities (IOUs) to apply for a safety certification that demonstrates the utility is “prudently and reasonably implementing its wildfire protection plan” and has addressed outstanding deficiencies identified in prior audits; certifications would be valid for 12 months. Consumer‑owned utilities (COUs) may apply but are not required to do so and would be subject to fewer additional PUC requirements. The PUC would be directed to approve or deny an application within 90 days and to adopt rules for audits and reporting. The bill’s dash‑1 amendment clarifies that possession of a certification does not confer…