HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 Consideration to Adopt the 2021 Vegetation Mitigation Plan
AGENDA ITEM #14
Page 1 of 3
MEETING DATE: June 2, 2021
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Stephen Moore, Electric Operations Manager
SUBJECT: Consideration to Adopt the 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Plan
APPROVED BY______________________________
Joe Horvath, Electric Utility Director/
Assistant General Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt the updated 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Plan and direct staff to submit the plan to the
California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board.
BACKGROUND:
Devastating wildfires throughout the state of California have prompted electric utilities to
identify areas within their jurisdiction that are susceptible to power-line ignited wildfires and
to take steps to prevent their occurrence. In 2012, the California Public Utilities
Commission (CPUC) ordered the development of a statewide map (Fire-Threat Map)
designed to identify areas where there is an increased risk for utility associated wildfires.
Publicly Owned Utilities (POUs), including the District, participated in development of the
Fire-Threat Map and performed the assessment of the geographical areas under our
responsibility.
In September 2018, former Governor Jerry Brown signed state Senate Bill (SB) 901. A
section of the bill, amending Public Utilities Code Section 8387, directed California's
electric utilities to develop wildfire mitigation plans related to power lines and equipment.
POUs, such as the District, are required to annually prepare a Wildfire Mitigation Plan
(WMP); receive an initial third party auditor independent review to assess compliance and
ensure it complies with all applicable rules, regulations, and standards; and present it to
their governing body annually at a noticed public meeting for comment and approval.
Staff presented two workshops to the Board in March and June, 2019, followed by Board
adoption of the District’s initial 2019 WMP in July of the same year. In October 2019, the
Board awarded a contract for third party auditor services to review and comment on the
WMP and their findings were presented to the Board during a public meeting for
consideration in December of 2019. The third party auditor confirmed the District’s plan
complies with the intent of SB 901 and their recommendations were considered in the
updated 2020 WMP which was approved by the Board in May of 2020 and sent to the
California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board (WSAB) by July 1, of 2020.
Page 2 of 3
The updated 2021 WMP (Attachment 1) outlines the processes and activities undertaken
by the District to mitigate the threat of wildfires associated with overhead electric lines and
associated equipment owned and operated by the District. Developing the WMP is part of
larger District wildfire prevention efforts which include the identification of emerging
technologies, engineering control methods, improved materials, and increased vegetation
management activities.
In July of 2020, the WSAB began reviewing WMPs for public and Investor Owned Utilities
(IOUs). This review process has continued to evolve requiring utilities to respond to a
plethora of additional information requests and formatting changes by the WSAB. Future
versions of the WMP are expected to evolve as the WSAB attempts to standardize the
required data, supporting documentation, metric’s, lessons learned and formatting of the
WMPs across all utilities.
Two metrics tracked since the induction of the WMP are Primary Wire Down and Fires
caused by District electric equipment. In 2020 the District experienced the following:
Primary Wire Down; two (2) events; and
Fire caused by District electric equipment; two (2) events.
Each metric experienced either an unforeseen event or equipment failure that ignited a
small fire but did not cause a wildfire. In no case was anyone injured nor was any public
property damaged. It should also be noted that the two fires were both contained to the top
of the electric utility pole and did not spread to any structure nor vegetation.
The District monitors the effectiveness of inspections by utilizing General Order 95 and 165
as a guide to inspect our electrical system. By using these guides District staff are able to
clearly identify deficiencies within the system prior to them becoming a reliability or safety
issue. Using this methodology, the District identified and corrected approximately 1300
deficiencies in 2020 allowing staff to focus solely on the District’s 2021 electric goals and
needs. The vast majority were minor deficiencies or opportunities for operational and
safety improvements.
OBJECTIVES AND GOALS:
These items are in support of the following objectives and goals identified by the District:
1.05.020 Objectives:
4. Provide reliable and high quality electric supply and distribution system to
meet current and future needs.
5. Manage the District in an environmentally sound manner.
1.05.030 Goals:
4.5. Provide effective and efficient maintenance and replacement programs.
4.6. Provide an effective, efficient, and safe operations program.
6.1. Utilize modern, cost effective work methods and equipment.
Page 3 of 3
FISCAL IMPACT:
The District’s efforts to respond to regulatory mandates and operational changes due to
wildfire has already had a significant fiscal impact. The direct costs of SB 901, in addition
to future unfunded mandates, is unknown. There is no direct hard cost associated with this
item to approve the 2021 WMP, however, staff resource requirements to develop and
maintain the Districts WMP and comply with the changing landscape and requirements of
SB 901 have been significant.
Most notably, vegetation management operations (tree trimming) is a major component of
the WMP. There has been a dramatic increase over the last few years in the amount of
funds the District has spent on tree trimming. The District spent $1.4M in FY20, $1.0M is
Budget for FY21, and $1.5M Forecast FY21 with $1.5M approved in FY21 in Annual
Procurements Board approval on 12/2/2020.This compares to ~$350k for FY18.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment 1 – Truckee Donner Public Utility District 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Plan