Utility Companies in the West Explore Fire Prevention Strategies; Remain Concerned About Preparedness of Others

A Revolutionary Database Unveiled: Empowering Utilities Against Wildfires

Western Utilities in the West Prepare for Wildfire Reduction Strategies, Others Lack such Preparations

In a groundbreaking move, an arm of the U.S. Department of Energy has created an online database, housing over 400 wildfire mitigation plans from electric utility companies in 19 states. This extensive database, unveiled by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), serves as an invaluable tool for policymakers, utility officials, and regulators to combat the ever-increasing threat of wildfires [1].

PNNL's database is a crucial aid in devising effective tactics to reduce destruction caused by wildfires and improve resilience during extreme events. As André Coleman, PNNL's chief scientist, stated during a June announcement, "Wildfires are no longer a seasonal threat—they're a year-round, national challenge with many areas in the country experiencing a new emerging risk. This database empowers decision-makers at every level to see the different approaches being used, understand what's working and where gaps exist, aid in new plan development, and collaborate on more effective mitigation strategies" [1].

Located in Richland, Washington, PNNL believes that the public availability of the Wildfire Mitigation Plans Database is timely given the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires, which pose significant threats to infrastructure, public safety, and finances [1]. The initiative was funded by DOE's Grid Deployment Office, established in 2022 to support critical power generation and enhance the national electricity grid's resilience. Other focus areas include bolstering electric transmission and distribution systems [1].

Rebecca O'Neil, an advisor of electricity infrastructure at PNNL, emphasized that the database enables conversations and analysis beyond the laboratory walls, allowing the team to gain unique insights into proposed industry solutions and trends. O'Neil hopes that the data community will communicate their feedback and share what they are doing with the information, helping PNNL update the database and develop useful tools [1].

Transmission Improvements for Enhanced Power Reliability

In October 2023, the Grid Deployment Office released a comprehensive "National Transmission Needs Study" report, discussing the importance of improving wildfire reliability and resilience in California and the western United States. The report highlighted that the Northwest and Southwest regions may be at risk of load curtailment during extreme weather events and wildfires, particularly as these areas increasingly rely on variable energy resources to meet peak demand. Additional transmission upgrades would help reduce risks to electricity reliability from extreme events [2].

The effect of wildfires on the nation is substantial, with the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee estimating that annual costs can range between $394 and $893 billion. Of these costs, as much as $202 billion is attributed to electricity losses, with power utilities representing around 10% of wildfire starts and 19% of the national average burn area [2].

Few Wildfire Plans for Midwest, Eastern, and Southern Electric Utilities

Intriguingly, the PNNL database exhibits a noticeable absence of wildfire mitigation plans for much of the Eastern United States. Users can search the database by location, year/range of years, utility, or type [2].

California held the most number of wildfire mitigation plans with 224 utility plans, followed by Oregon (87), Washington (53), Utah (19), Idaho (18), and Colorado (16) [2].

Unprepared Utilities: A New Stanford University Report

Stanford University's Stanford Climate and Energy Policy Program published a 34-page report titled "Wildfire: An Updated Look at Utility Risk and Mitigation" in June. The report emphasized the dangers posed by wildfires ignited by electric utility infrastructure in the United States, focusing on California wildfires and regulatory frameworks regarding risks related to wildfires caused by utility infrastructure.

The study identified that, while Western states like California, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah have more developed wildfire utility mitigation plans, particularly by investor-owned utilities, there is a pressing need for similar action in regions with a higher likelihood of catastrophic wildfires. For instance, investor-owned utilities in the Gulf Coast, Southeast, and Upper Midwest have generally not devised such mitigation plans [2].

Advice for Utilities

While rural electric cooperatives and publicly owned utilities may faces unique challenges in devising wildfire mitigation plans, researchers from Stanford advised that electric utility officials and regulators should prioritize safety, minimize the likelihood of infrastructure sparking a wildfire, and invest in efficient and cost-effective mitigation programs. Improved preparedness is vital to protect homes, communities, and infrastructure from wildfires [2].

By selectingively adopting strategies like Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) programs, risk-informed approaches, technology and data sharing, forest and vegetation management, regulatory policy reviews, year-round preparedness, grid resilience, and community engagement, electric utilities across the Midwest, Eastern, and Southern states can enhance their wildfire mitigation efforts [3][4].

Combining these operational, technological, and policy-aligned strategies empowers utilities to not only address immediate fire risks but also contribute to broader climate resilience goals amid increasing wildfire threats [3][4].

Enrichment Data:

Implementing Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Programs: By proactively shutting off power to high-risk fire areas during extreme weather, utilities can prevent electrical equipment from igniting wildfires. For example, Black Hills Energy plans to deploy a PSPS program by mid-2025, prioritizing the safety of its customers and the communities in which they operate [3].
Leveraging AI and Data Analytics: Utilities can use advanced technology to improve early detection, forecasting, and decision-making processes related to wildfire risks. This involves integrating AI, weather data, fire risk modeling, and innovative mapping technologies [3].
Collaborating with Local Agencies and Communities: Utilities should collaborate with state and local agencies to utilize advanced technologies like AI, innovative mapping, and data sharing platforms that enhance wildfire monitoring capabilities and prioritize early detection [3].
Emphasizing Forest Health and Vegetation Management: Wildfire mitigation plans should incorporate coordinated efforts to maintain healthier forests and vegetation near utility infrastructure, reducing fuel loads and fire intensity [3].
Modernizing Infrastructure: Utilities should consider upgrading infrastructure to reduce wildfire ignition sources, such as by using insulated or underground lines and employing vegetation clearance methods around power lines [3].
Investing in Grid Resilience and Infrastructure Hardening: Utilities can invest in grid modernization strategies that prioritize system reliability and resilience during wildfire events. These strategies may include distributed energy resources, microgrids, and advanced sensor technologies [3].
Implementing wildfire-resistant Design Standards: Utilities can incorporate wildfire-resistant design principles in the construction and maintenance of infrastructure to reduce the risk of ignition and maximize the ability to withstand wildfire exposure [3].
Engaging with customers and communities: Utilities can educate customers and local communities on wildfire risks, emergency preparedness, and response best practices to foster shared responsibility for wildfire prevention [3].

By adopting these operational, technological, and policy-aligned strategies, electric utilities across all regions, not just the Midwest, Eastern, and Southern states, can significantly strengthen their wildfire mitigation plans and community safety outcomes [3].

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