20260730News Release.pdf

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Idaho Public Utilities Commission BradU* Gm-error
PA. Banc 83720, Boise, D 83720.0074 Ech and lodge,Ptesdent
John R.Hsnnrorxt Jr.,Coninumorker
191J Davn Hardie,Commissioner
Case No. C07-E-25-01
Order No. 37118
Contact:Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail Address: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Commission Approves Northern Idaho Electric Utility's Amended Wildfire
Mitigation Plan
BOISE (July 30, 2026) — The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved an amended Wildfire
Mitigation Plan (WMP) submitted by Kootenai Electric Cooperative, Inc. The amended plan provides
additional information on work the utility is doing to reduce the risk of wildfires.
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.
Each utility's WMP identifies areas where the utility has infrastructure or equipment that may be subject
to heightened wildfire risk at the time the WMP is finalized. The plan also describes the actions and
programs the utility will use to reduce wildfire risk as well as community outreach and public awareness
efforts the utility will use before, during and after wildfire season. In addition, the utility will inform the
public of relevant wildfire risk.
In an order issued on June 29, 2026, the Commission conditionally approved the utility's WMP. The
Commission also directed Kootenai Electric to submit a compliance filing to ensure the plan
comprehensively describes the utility's operational and wildfire mitigation measures.
In addition, the Commission directed the utility to submit additional information if it seeks approval of
a future WMP. That information includes the utility's wildfire mitigation benefits, a more detailed
explanation of how heightened wildfire risk zones are determined, an explanation of how mitigation
activities such as grid hardening reduce wildfire risk, and incorporating certain recommendations from
the Idaho Department of Lands.
The Commission's order approving the amended plan was issued on July 30, 2026.
Additional information on the WMP is available at: https://puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7682.