20260804News Release.pdf

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��- Idaho Public Utilities Commission BradU* G'eTmr
`d P.O. Brno 83720, Boise. ID 83 7 20-0 0 7 4 Echvard LDdge,President
John R.Hammond, Jr.,Comnu99oner
1913 Dayn Hardie,Commissioner
Case No. C10-E-26-01
Order No. 37120
Contact: Adam Rush
Office: [phone]
E-mail Address: [e-mail]
NEWS RELEASE: Commission Denies Northern Idaho Electric Utility's Application Seeking Approval
of Wildfire Mitigation Plan
BOISE (Aug. 4,2026)—The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has denied an application submitted by
Northern Lights Inc. seeking approval of the utility's 2026 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP). The
Commission determined the WMP did not contain sufficient information on wildfire risk modeling and
other required elements.
Electric utilities file wildfire mitigation 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 wildfire mitigation 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 plan is finalized. The WMP also describes the actions and
programs the utility will use to reduce wildfire risk, as well as outlining community outreach and public
awareness efforts before, during and after wildfire season. In addition, the utility will inform the public
of relevant wildfire risk.
The Commission issued an order on Aug. 3, 2026, denying the application. In addition to directing
Northern Lights to submit more information on wildfire risk modeling in future WMPs,the Commission
instructed the utility to provide information on the type, condition and age of system components. The
Commission also directed Northern Lights to describe how, if at all,its vegetation management practices
differ in areas it has designated as high fire risk. In addition, the utility must explain how it will measure
the success of the implementation of a WMP and work with counties where the utility's system is located
to improve wildfire response and mitigation efforts, among other items.
Additional information on the WMP is available at: https://puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7702.