Wildfire safety rules proposed for PG&E and other utilities
The state
"Power-line fires can cause enormous destruction as demonstrated by the catastrophic power-line fires in
Kenney and Kao also noted the recent wildfires in Wine Country and nearby areas that killed 43 people and torched at least 245,000 acres in six counties: "The catastrophic wildfires in
The five PUC commissioners are scheduled to make a final decision on the far-reaching new rules as soon as
The proposal would set up a high fire-threat district where stricter fire-safety regulations would apply. The boundaries of the district are not firmly established yet, but would include multiple areas deemed hazardous by the
Under prior and less restrictive rules, the most severe requirements for vegetation clearance applied primarily to 9,600 square miles in
The territory covered by the new vegetation clearance requirements would cover about 74,600 square miles -- 45.6 percent of the state's total territory. The most rigorous new rules would pertain to 62,600 square miles in
Depending on the power lines' voltage, clearance between vegetation and trees that once could be as little as four feet would be a minimum of 12 feet. And in instances where the minimum clearance was 15 feet, the new minimum would be 30 feet.
"We are still reviewing the proposed decision,"
The 133-page proposal also would require utilities to conduct annual patrols, in many instances, of overhead electricity equipment in certain rural areas.
The PUC said it is preparing a final draft of a fire-threat map, which is due to be published on
"We have been actively engaged with
However, the judge's ruling showed that
"Ultimately, we will support regulations that reduce the threats of wildfires and minimize the impact on our customers and their communities," Snapper said.
While
"Our costs over and above insurance coverage should be shared by all customers," Williams said during the call.
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