Wildfire safety rules proposed for PG&E, other utilities

Nov. 09--California regulators, alarmed by a series of wildfires that have scorched the state in recent years, are proposing a wide-ranging set of new fire-safety rules for PG&E and other big electricity utilities.

The proposed rules come as state agencies look into whether PG&E's downed power poles and lines might have played a role in causing the infernos that raged through Napa and Sonoma counties last month, killing scores of people and laying waste to thousands of homes. No conclusion has been reached.

The state Public Utilities Commission is considering stepping up inspections of electricity equipment, requiring more frequent utility patrols related to equipment and vegetation, and sharply increasing the required clearance between power lines and vegetation. The stricter requirements would apply to a much larger area than current rules.

The requirements would be more expensive for the utility companies to implement, potentially leading to increases in rates, but no specifics have yet been offered.

"Power-line fires can cause enormous destruction as demonstrated by the catastrophic power-line fires in Southern California in October and the devastating Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras Counties in September 2015," Valerie Kao and Timothy Kenney, two administrative law judges for the state PUC, wrote in a proposed decision for the commission to consider. They issued the proposal Wednesday night.

Kenney and Kao also noted the recent wildfires in the Wine Country and nearby areas that killed 43 people and torched at least 245,000 acres in six counties: "The catastrophic wildfires in Northern California in October 2017 further demonstrate the enormous destruction and loss of life that wildfires can cause."

The five PUC commissioners are scheduled to make a final decision on the far-reaching new rules as soon as Dec. 14.

The proposal would set up a high fire-threat district where stricter fire-safety regulations would apply. The boundaries of the district are not yet firmly established, but would include multiple areas deemed hazardous by the U.S. Forest Service; the state Forestry and Fire Protection Department, also known as Cal Fire; and a fire-threat map being fashioned by independent experts on behalf of the PUC.

Under prior, less restrictive rules, the most severe requirements for vegetation clearance applied primarily to 9,600 square miles in Southern California, roughly 5.9 percent of the 163,700 square miles that comprise California's surface area.

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 Northern California.

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," PG&E spokesman Gregory Snapper said Thursday.

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 Nov. 17.

"We have been actively engaged with Cal Fire, the PUC, other energy companies, municipalities and community groups throughout this proceeding to develop new utility fire-threat maps and new fire-safety regulations that protect our communities and our customers," Snapper said.

However, the judge's ruling showed that PG&E contested at least four provisions being considered by the state law judge. San Diego Gas & Electric contested at least eight provisions.

"Ultimately, we will support regulations that reduce the threats of wildfires and minimize the impact on our customers and their communities," Snapper said.

Yet PG&E has indicated that the recent Wine Country wildfires may directly affect customers. Chief Executive Officer Geisha Williams said during a Nov. 2 conference call with analysts that PG&E ratepayers face higher bills if the utility's insurance doesn't cover all of its costs from wildfires that torched parts of the North Bay.

PG&E has $800 million in insurance to cover any liabilities for the Wine Country fires. The company stated during the call that it would ask the PUC to let it boost customers' monthly electricity bills if actual North Bay fire expenses exceed that coverage.

"Our costs over and above insurance coverage should be shared by all customers," Williams said during the call.

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