20250716Interlocutory_Order_No_36674.pdf

Office of the Secretary
Service Date
July 16,2025
BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
IN THE MATTER OF COMMISSION ) CASE NO. GNR-E-25-02
STAFF'S APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL )
OF A FILING PROCESS FOR WILDFIRE ) ORDER SUSPENDING THE
MITIGATION PLANS ) FILING OF WILDFIRE
MITIGATION PLANS
ORDER NO. 36674
On June 18, 2025, Idaho Public Utilities Commission Staff("Staff') applied to establish a
filing process for Wildfire Mitigation Plans ("WMPs)" submitted under the Wildfire Standard of
Care Act("WSCA"). Staff requested the matter be processed by Modified Procedure, and that the
Commission issue an order adopting a WMP filing process no later than September 5, 2025.
Staff s application was accompanied by a motion proposing the following specific filing
dates for WMPs: 1) Idaho Power Company on October 1, 2025; 2) Rocky Mountain Power on
October 17, 2025; 3) Avista Corporation on November 10, 2025; and 4) all other electric
corporations no earlier than December 1, 2025. According to Staff, a three-month delay in WMP
submissions would allow time to develop a standardized application process, which would help
streamline the review of the plans. Staff also asserted that its recommended staggered filing
schedule would prevent a rush of submissions when the WSCA takes effect, resulting in a more
orderly and efficient review process.
On June 30, 2025, Kootenai Electric Cooperative, Inc. ("KEC") responded to Staffs
motion. Despite refraining from taking a position on Staffs requested filing schedule, KEC raised
concerns that non-utility electric companies may not have their WMPs approved in time for the
2026 wildfire season. KEC proposed that, instead of setting exact filing dates now, the
Commission should issue an order delaying all filings until a set date with a detailed schedule to
be decided later. This approach,KEC argued,would give parties a chance to weigh in on the filing
timeline through their comments in this case.
The Commission took up Staffs motion during the Commission's July 1, 2025, Decision
Meeting. After hearing arguments from Staffs counsel, the Commission decided not to set a
specific filing schedule immediately. Instead, having reviewed the record, the Commission issues
ORDER SUSPENDING THE FILING OF WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLANS
ORDER NO. 36674 1

this interlocutory order suspending the filing of WMPs until after a final order issues at the
conclusion of this case.
COMMISSION FINDINGS AND DECISION
The Commission has authority to set a schedule for the filing of WMPs by order.See Idaho
Code§ 61-1803. Once an electric corporation files a WMP,the Commission must approve or reject
it within six months. Idaho Code § 61-1804. If approved by the Commission, a WMP establishes
the associated electric corporation's duty to its members and the public regarding wildfire risk.
Idaho Code § 61-1805.
Considering the effect of an approved WMP has on an electric corporation's potential
liability for a wildfire, careful review of such plans is particularly important. To avoid a flood of
filings and ensure an orderly review process, we find it reasonable to suspend the filing of any
WMPs until a final order issues in this case. We encourage interested parties to address the filing
schedule proposed in Staff s motion or propose alternative schedules in their comments filed in
this case. After consideration of those comments, we will set a detailed filing schedule in the final
order concluding this case.
ORDER
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that electric corporations shall not file a WMP with the
Commission before a final order issues in this case.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that interested parties may propose schedules for the filing
of WMPs in their comments filed in this case.
THIS IS AN INTERLOCUTORY ORDER, not a final and appealable Order of the
Commission. The period of reconsideration will not begin until the final order is issued.
ORDER SUSPENDING THE FILING OF WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLANS
ORDER NO. 36674 2

DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 16ffi day of
July 2025.
Grp -ZO
EDWARD LODGE, P SIDE
9��=
t
ND JR., COMMISSIONER
MMISSIONER
ATTEST:
Mo ica arri - an
Commission Secretary
I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\GNR-E-25-02_WMP Process\orders\Filing_Prohibition_at.docx
ORDER SUSPENDING THE FILING OF WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLANS
ORDER NO. 36674 3