CPUC Questions SDG&E Call for Fire Safety Standard

As a fire blazed outside Los Angeles this week, a California Public Utilities Commission member April 29 proposed denying San Diego Gas & Electric’s petition for rulemaking aimed at amending fire safety requirements for power transmission and distribution lines. The utility petitioned the CPUC after its downed power lines were implicated as a cause of wildfires that raged through San Diego County last fall. “SDG&E’s approach would place the proverbial cart before the horse,” wrote CPUC commissioner Timothy Simon in the proposed decision. The commission should wait on any potential revision until its consumer protection and safety division finishes investigating the role of power lines in last year’s wildfires. Otherwise, Simon reasoned, “there is a real possibility that the adopted regulations would not address the root causes of the fires.” The proposed decision observed that Santa Ana winds last October “caused overhead electric lines owned by Southern California Edison Company and SDG&E to ignite several wildfires.” The largest in San Diego County, the Witch Creek fire, burned 197,990 acres, killing two people, injuring 40, and consuming 1,650 structures. After the fire, SDG&E asked the commission to consider whether it should amend its standards for operating power lines, placing lines underground, and trimming vegetation around lines. However, the utility proposed no particular changes. The proposed decision noted that the commission’s safety division is expected to make specific recommendations for any needed changes once it completes its inquiry. This might lead to amendments to the existing standards, which are 500 pages long. “There’s a solution to this issue that’s so simple it’s deeply disturbing it’s never been done,” said Center for Biological Diversity conservation manager David Hogan. “Turn off the electricity on remote power lines during Santa Ana winds.” The center opposed the utility’s petition. “We are disappointed in the CPUC’s draft decision,” said Stephanie Donovan, utility spokesperson. “We believe it’s a really important issue for the state that needs to be addressed now.” Changes may be needed to protect against another possible disaster, she said. SDG&E plans to file comments on the proposed decision before it goes to the full commission. It will be at least 30 days before the proposed decision comes before the full CPUC for consideration.

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CPUC Questions SDG&E Call for Fire Safety Standard

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