野火缓解
Why 野火缓解 Plans?
Due to the increase of wildfires nationally and related legislation/regulation, utilities are actively developing wildfire mitigation plans. These comprehensive plans help utilities develop operational policies and practices to help prevent, prepare for and respond to wildfire events.
野火缓解 Plan
考利茨 PUD has proactively developed a comprehensive 野火缓解 Plan to help communities and increase the resiliency of the electrical grid. We continue to build upon this program as we learn more about wildfire risk in 考利茨 County, and adapt to changing conditions.
考利茨 County is at a low risk for wildfires but 考利茨 PUD is prepared to continue to collaborate with local community members and agencies to ensure we are prepared in the case of a wildfire. The tools we use to address wildfire risk are area-specific and backed by detailed fire risk studies and industry best-practices.
考利茨 PUD’s 野火缓解 Plan Objectives
- Implement an actionable plan to increase reliability and safety while reducing the likelihood of 考利茨 PUD assets becoming the origin or contributing factor for wildfires.
- Maintain a plan that prioritizes safety, situational awareness, mitigation methods, and recovery.
- Develop a plan that aligns with utility best practice competencies and risk mitigation activities.
- Continue to assess and incorporate new industry best practices, 技术, and risk mitigation activities.
考利茨 PUD’s mitigation strategies consist of design and construction, inspection and maintenance, operational practices, situational and conditional awareness, and response and recovery. This includes such items as:
- Undergrounding lines where feasible and cost-effective
- System hardening by using covered equipment and animal guards
- 鸟类保护
- Tree-trimming and brush removal
- 设备巡逻
- Increased inspections during fire season
- Work procedures and training for employees
- Service area weather conditions monitoring
- Pre-emptive de-energization of equipment and power lines during extreme risk days
- Coordination with local agencies
- Fire safety outage management
Public 安全 Power Shutoffs (PSPS)
A Public 安全 Power Shutoff (PSPS) preemptively de-energizes power lines during high wind events combined with hot and dry weather conditions. When considering de-energization, 考利茨 PUD examines the impacts on fire response, 水的供应, 公共安全, and emergency communications.
The risks and potential consequences of initiating a PSPS are significant and extremely complex. Based on the above considerations, 考利茨 PUD reserves the option of implementing a PSPS when conditions dictate. While 考利茨 PUD believes the risks of implementing a PSPS far outweigh the chances of its electric overhead distribution system igniting a catastrophic wildfire, the PSPS provides a last resort tool and another mitigation option.
On a case-by-case basis, 考利茨 PUD has historically and will continue to consider de-energizing a portion of its system in response to a known 公共安全 issue or response to a request from an emergency management/response agency. Any de-energizing of the lines is performed in coordination with key local partner agencies, but the final determination is made by 考利茨 PUD.
While it may not be possible in all cases, all attempts will be made by 考利茨 PUD to notify each customer of an impending PSPS with as much advance notice as possible prior to implementation.
