Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Washington utilities and transportation commission (UTC) is directed, under ESHB 1522 (chapter 156, Laws of 2025, and codified primarily in RCW 80.28.445) to adopt rules to implement wildfire mitigation planning reviews for investor-owned electric utilities. UTC's rule making must, at minimum, include the provision of workshops for wildfire mitigation plans, procedures and standards regarding vegetation management, fair market landowner compensation guidelines, public safety power shutoffs, pole materials, circuitry, and monitoring.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESHB 1522 (with relevant section codified as RCW 80.28.445) requires UTC to adopt rules to implement the statute. The rules will provide guidance for investor-owned electric utilities to document and maintain wildfire risk mitigation planning and strategies. The legislature's directive is based on the idea that it is important to address wildfire risks associated with electric utility operations and establish a transparent process for the utilities and their stakeholders to direct the prudent use of utility resources to mitigate those risks while balancing costs and various stakeholders' interests.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: While there is no other agency that regulates this same subject directly, the department of natural resources is responsible for a utility wildfire mitigation template. The department of commerce coordinates communications in the event of an incident and assists publicly owned utilities. Both agencies will be contacted about the rule making and will have an opportunity to comment/communicate with UTC staff.

Process for Developing New Rule: UTC will ask for initial written comments on the CR-101 and conduct a workshop. UTC will request additional comments on draft rules in the CR-102 phase.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jeff Killip, Executive Director and Secretary, 621 Woodland Square Loop S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, phone 360-664-1173, fax 360-586-1150, TTY 1-800-833-6384 or 711, email records@utc.wa.gov, website www.utc.wa.gov/e-filing.