Bill would require UTC review of investor-owned utilities’ wildfire plans within 60 days

Committee staff briefed members on House Bill 1522, which addresses wildfire mitigation planning for investor-owned electric utilities. The bill would require investor-owned utilities to review, adopt and file wildfire mitigation plans with the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC), and the UTC would have 60 days to approve or reject a plan.

Matt Sterling, staff to the committee, summarized the bill’s requirements and noted the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recommends a format and list of elements to include in utilities’ wildfire mitigation plans. Under HB 1522 utilities must update mitigation plans at least every three years and provide copies to DNR and the Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee. The bill would remove a separate requirement that utilities report a list and description of wildland fires involving utility equipment.

Sponsor Rep. Tom Dent (13th Legislative District) said the bill grew from 2023 work that allowed utilities to submit mitigation plans and aims to improve consistency and oversight. He said investor-owned utilities had requested a clearer approval process and more consistent plan standards.

Investor-owned utilities and trade groups testified in support. Jillian Kyrus of Avista said regulatory oversight of wildfire mitigation plans would increase safety and help protect life, property and grid reliability. Jay Belaspas of PacifiCorp and Matt Miller of Puget Sound Energy said the process could be viewed as credit-positive because it reduces uncertainty and the cost of borrowing for utilities, potentially lowering long-term costs for customers. Utility and industry witnesses described actions utilities have taken—weather stations, meteorologists, covered conductor and targeted undergrounding—and argued the bill would provide accountability and allow application of lessons between seasons.

Questions from committee members focused on whether the bill would apply only to investor-owned utilities (staff confirmed it does), how the proposed UTC review would interact with existing standards or audits (including voluntary or mandatory reviews by NERC), and whether the 60-day review window is adequate. Several witnesses and intervenors suggested more time than 60 days; the Northwest Energy Coalition recommended 180 days to match Oregon’s review timeline and allow UTC staff and stakeholders enough time for a detailed review.

Witnesses representing forestry, large industrial energy users, and associations of business said they support the bill but requested technical amendments to refine forestry interactions, data and customer engagement in the UTC process.

No committee action on the bill is recorded in the transcript; sponsors and utilities indicated they are working on targeted amendments to address stakeholder concerns.