20260504News Release.pdf

Idaho Public Utilities Commission Brad Littte,Governor
P.O. Boot 83720. Boise. ID 83720-0074 Edward Lodge, Resident
John R.Hamnwnd, Jr.,Commissioner
Dayn Hardie,Commissioner
Case No. C10-E-26-01
Order No. 37023
Contact:Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail Address: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Idaho Public Utilities Commission Accepting Written Comments On
Northern Lights Inc. Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
BOISE (May 4, 2026)—The Idaho Public Utilities Commission is accepting written comments
on an application submitted by Northern Lights Inc. seeking approval of the utility's 2026-2028
wildfire mitigation plan (WMP). The plan offers information on work the utility is doing to
reduce the risk of wildfires in its service area.
Electric utilities file the plans with the Commission pursuant to the Wildfire Standard of Care
Act(WSCA). The WSCA requires the Commission to annually approve WMPs for investor-
owned electric utilities. Under the WSCA, if a wildfire results in a lawsuit against an electric
utility, there is a presumption the utility acted without negligence if it reasonably implemented a
Commission-approved WMP. Municipal and cooperative electric utilities,which are not
regulated by the Commission, may voluntarily submit plans for the Commission's review.
Northern Lights said its WMP addresses the unique features of its service territory, such as
topography, weather, infrastructure, grid configuration and areas most prone to wildfire risks.
The plan includes information on the maintenance of the utility's transmission and distribution
assets as well as the management of vegetation, among other items.
The Commission is accepting written comments on the utility's WMP until June 10, 2026.
Comments are required to be filed through the Commission's website or by e-mail unless
computer access is not available. To submit comments through the website, visit puc.idaho.gov
and click on the "Case Comment Form" link on the upper left side of the page. Please use case
number C 10-E-26-01 when filling out the form. Comments submitted through e-mail should be
sent to the e-mail addresses listed below. Commenters are required to include their name, address
and case number C 10-E-26-01. If computer access is not available, comments can be mailed to
the addresses listed below. Commenters are required to include their name, address and case
number C 10-E-26-01 in correspondence.
For the Idaho Public Utilities Commission:
Idaho Public Utilities Commission
Commission Secretary
P.O. Box 83720

Boise, ID 83702-0074
[e-mail]
For Northern Lights Inc.:
Kristin Burge
Engineering & Operations Mgr.
Northern Lights Inc.
P.O. Box 269
Sagle, ID 83860
[e-mail]
Susan P. Weeks
James,Vernon&Weeks, P.A.
1626 Lincoln Way
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814
[e-mail]
Additional information on Northern Lights' application is available at:
puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7702.