Wildland Fire Advisory Committee.

 
The Wildland Fire Advisory Committee (WFA Committee) was created in 2015.  The WFA Committee advises the Commissioner of Public Lands (Commissioner) on all matters related to wildland firefighting in the state.  This includes developing strategies to enhance the safe and effective use of private and public wildland firefighting resources. 
 

Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee.

  
In 2019, the Legislature directed the Commissioner to establish an Electric Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Task Force (Task Force).  The Task Force was composed of individuals with expertise in wildland fire risk reduction and prevention, a representative of both small and industrial forest landowners, and entities providing retail electric service.

In 2021, the Legislature directed the Commissioner to convene a Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee (Advisory Committee) by August 1, 2021.  The duties of the Advisory Committee are to advise the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on issues including: 

• matters related to the implementation of Task Force recommendations;
• providing a forum where electric utilities, DNR, and other state fire suppression organizations can identify issues and develop solutions for wildfire prevention and risk;
• mitigation specifically related to electric utilities' transmission and distribution networks, identification of best management practices, electric utility infrastructure protection, and wildland fire suppression and response; and
• establishing joint public communications protocols among members of the Advisory Committee, and other entities, to inform residents of potential critical fire weather events and the potential for power outages or disruptions.

Utilities and Transportation Commission.

 
In May 2021, the Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) held a workshop on utility wildfire preparedness.  Washington's three investor-owned electric utilities presented their plans for the upcoming wildfire season, including plans for fire mitigation strategies and communications plans with state, federal, and local emergency response agencies, and customers. 

Electric Utility Wildfire Mitigation Plans.

  
The DNR must contract with an independent consultant to recommend a format and list of elements to be included in an electric utility wildfire mitigation plan (wildfire mitigation plan), including best practices for each element. 

The DNR must seek input from the Energy Emergency Management Office (EEMO) of the Department of Commerce, the UTC, the Advisory Committee, electric utilities, the State Fire Marshal, the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs, and the public.

 
By April 1, 2023, the DNR must make public a recommended format and a list of elements for wildfire mitigation plans.

The recommended elements must include, but are not limited to:

• vegetation management along transmission and distribution lines and near associated equipment;
• inspection and maintenance repair activities and schedules;
• modifications or upgrades to facilities and construction of new facilities to incorporate measures to minimize fire risk; and
• prevention programs, including adoption of new technologies to harden infrastructure.

The recommended format and list of elements must be forwarded to the UTC, the EEMO, and all electric utilities for a review period of three months prior to DNR finalizing the recommended format and list of elements. 

Each electric utility, both investor-owned and consumer-owned, must review and revise, if appropriate, its wildfire mitigation plan by December 31, 2023, and every two years thereafter.  Each utility's wildfire mitigation plan should include a review of the specific circumstances of that utility and incorporate as appropriate the recommendations developed by the DNR.

 
Investor-owned electric utility must submit their wildfire mitigation plans to the UTC, which must review the plans within six months and confirm whether each plan contains the recommended elements.  The UTC must consult with the DNR and the EEMO when reviewing wildfire mitigation plans.  The UTC's review does not relieve a company from proactively managing wildfire risk and the UTC is not liable for a company's performance in implementing its wildfire mitigation plan.  An electrical company may pursue recovery costs and investments associated with a wildfire mitigation plan through a rate proceeding.  Nothing in the bill precludes an electrical company from continuing to develop and implement wildfire mitigation measures.

 
The governing board of each consumer-owned utility must review the wildfire mitigation plan and confirm whether the plan contains the recommended elements.  Local fire districts must be given the opportunity to review and provide feedback during this period.  Each consumer-owned utility must also submit its wildfire mitigation plan to the EEMO for review, and the EEMO must provide feedback within six months for consideration for inclusion in the next plan revision.  By December 31, 2023, the EEMO must be available to provide technical assistance to consumer-owned utilities to include the best practices guidelines in their wildfire mitigation plans.

 
Utility Wildland Fire Prevention Advisory Committee.

 
By December 31, 2022, and at the beginning of each subsequent biennium, the Advisory Committee must submit to the Legislature:

• a compilation and summary of existing wildfire mitigation plans maintained by electric utilities; 
• an analysis of the costs and benefits of preparing and maintaining a comprehensive statewide wildfire risk map that identifies relative risk classes; and
• recommendations for strengthening state agency coordination of wildfire risk reduction, prevention, and suppression. 

The Chair of the Advisory Committee must schedule and hold meetings on a regular basis to expeditiously accomplish its duties and make recommendations.  

The membership of the Advisory Committee is expanded to include a representative of the EEMO and a representative of the UTC.