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Committee supportive of utility wildfire‑mitigation and PSPS coordination bill
Summary
Committee reviewed a bill strengthening utility wildfire mitigation responsibilities, PSPS coordination, and financial limits on rate‑base recovery for wildfire mitigation; members described it as aligned with safety goals and indicated support in concept.
Townsend and staff briefed the committee on a bill that strengthens responsibilities for electric utilities related to wildfire mitigation and public safety power shutoffs (PSPS).
Key provisions described included expanded coordination protocols between utilities and public safety partners, requirements to document past communications failures during emergencies and propose improvements, expanded consideration of adjacent high‑fire‑threat areas (not just mapped high‑threat zones), and a requirement that utilities evaluate undergrounding vs above‑ground hardening in certain areas. The bill would also prohibit large investor‑owned utilities from adding certain wildfire mitigation capital expenses to their rate base beyond an existing $5 billion cap, a measure intended to protect ratepayers.
Why it matters: Committee members described the bill as aligned with safety priorities in the city and region and noted its potential to improve emergency messaging, notification eligibility for renters and non‑account holders, and utility planning for mitigation investments.
Discussion and details: Staff reported the bill had already passed the Senate floor and moved to the second house policy committee, and several other bills with overlapping aims did not make it out of appropriations. Members said they viewed this measure as a positive vehicle for improved utility coordination and ratepayer protections.
Committee direction: Members signaled support in concept and staff noted the City could take a support position; no formal vote was taken at the meeting.
Ending: The committee asked staff to track the bill’s progress and to advise if the City should endorse the measure formally as it advances through the Legislature.
