54-24-201. Wildland fire protection plan for a qualified utility.
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Effective 5/12/2020
54-24-201. Wildland fire protection plan for a qualified utility.
(1)A qualified utility shall prepare a wildland fire protection plan in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.
(2)A wildland fire protection plan under Subsection
(1)shall include:
(a)a description of areas within the service territory of the qualified utility that may be subject to a heightened risk of wildland fire;
(b)a description of the procedures, standards, and time frames that the qualified utility will use to inspect and operate its infrastructure;
(c)a description of the procedures and standards that the qualified utility will use to perform vegetation management;
(d)a description of proposed modifications or upgrades to facilities and preventative programs that the qualified utility will implement to reduce the risk of its electric facilities initiating a wildland fire;
(e)a description of procedures for de-energizing power lines and disabling reclosers to mitigate potential wildland fires taking into consideration:
(i)the ability of the qualified utility to reasonably access the proposed power line to be de-energized;
(ii)the balance of the risk of wildland fire with the need for continued supply of electricity to a community; and
(iii)any potential impact to public safety, first responders, and health and communication infrastructure;
(f)a description of the procedures the qualified utility intends to use to restore its electrical system in the event of a wildland fire;
(g)a description of the costs for the implementation of the plan, including system improvements and upgrades;
(h)a description of community outreach and public awareness efforts before and during a wildland fire season; and
(i)a description of potential participation, if applicable, with state or local wildland fire protection plans.
(a)A qualified utility shall submit the wildland fire protection plan described in this section to the commission:
(i)on or before June 1, 2020; and
(ii)on or before October 1 of every third year after calendar year 2020.
(b)The commission shall:
(i)review the plan submitted under Subsection (3)(a) ; and
(ii)consider input from:
(A)the State Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands created in Section 65A-1-4 ;
(B)any other appropriate federal, state, or local entity that chooses to provide input; and
(C)other interested persons who choose to provide input.
(c)The commission shall approve a wildland fire protection plan submitted under Subsection (3)(a) if the plan:
(i)is reasonable and in the public interest; and
(ii)appropriately balances the costs of implementing the plan with the risk of a potential wildland fire.
(4)No later than June 1, 2021, and each year after 2021, a qualified utility shall submit to the commission a report detailing the qualified utility's compliance with the qualified utility's wildland fire protection plan.
Enacted by Chapter 162 , 2020 General Session