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NEWPORT — The Board of Commissioners for Public Utility District No. 1 of Pend Oreille County (PUD) has officially approved the District’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan, a proactive step in safeguarding local communities from wildfire risks associated with utility operations.
Approved on Oct. 29, the plan addresses Washington State’s new requirements for wildfire preparedness and strengthens the PUD’s commitment to community safety.
“In light of the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires, our Wildfire Mitigation Plan is essential for preventing and responding to potential threats,” said John Janney, General Manager of Pend Oreille PUD in a news release.
“We appreciate the valuable input from local fire and emergency partners in developing this plan to help protect the communities we all serve.”
The Wildfire Mitigation Plan includes key strategies such as system hardening, undergrounding lines, vegetation management, increased inspections during fire season, and enhanced coordination with local fire protection agencies.
A copy of the PUD’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan can be found at www. popud.org/top-links/ safety-and-education/ wildland-fires-and-oursystem.
A key component of the plan is the Fire Safe Mode. That means when something like a tree falls onto a line, the breaker shuts the power off. In normal operations, the breaker waits for a fixed amount of time, then turns the power back on. If it detects a tree again, the power goes off. It does that a third time the power is shut off.
In Fire Safe Mode, the power stays off the first time the breaker shuts it off until the line is individually inspected. The result is that power outages are more likely, but the threat of wildland fire is reduced, according to the plan.
The PUD has also scheduled additional public meetings to present its 10-year forecast and rate study to the community.
The first meeting took place on Oct. 30 at Newport High School, where community members learned about the financial and operational challenges facing Washington State utilities in general and the PUD in particular over the next decade.
The 2024 Revenue Requirement Forecast outlines anticipated capital expenditures totaling over $113.9 million between 2024 and 2034.
Key issues include rising costs driven by an aging infrastructure in need of replacement, inflation and new regulatory requirements, along with potential electric rate adjustments starting in 2025.
“We want our customers to be fully informed about the material factors driving PUD operations, finances, and rates,” Janney said. “This is a critical aspect of the ongoing dialogue about how we can ensure the longterm sustainability of the PUD while continuing to provide reliable, affordable services to our communities.”
The PUD will also be presenting the 10-year forecast at local city councils and the county throughout November and December. Find a list of scheduled presentations at www.popud. org/top-links/community- and-resources/public- meetings-10-year-financial- forecast.
Pend Oreille PUD encourages anyone who knows an organization that would like a presentation to contact the PUD for arrangements.
