SACRAMENTO – The Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (Energy Safety) today released its approval of PacifiCorp’s 2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Base Plan (WMP). Release of the approval followed a 30-day public comment period.
PacifiCorp is making an important advancement by implementing the first version of its investment planning model. This will enable PacifiCorp to identify the assets most at-risk from wildfires, assess the cost efficiency of its grid hardening activities, and map its High Fire Risk Areas.
Additionally, PacifiCorp is running power simulation models on de-energized transmission lines to learn of its induction risk and mitigations for coupled lines. While PacifiCorp took the initiative to evaluate induction risk, Energy Safety has required an induction risk assessment of all electrical corporations in their WMPs. PacifiCorp has also established risk remediation timelines for its vegetation management efforts, that if followed, will reduce wildfire risk.
However, there are areas where PacificCorp needs to improve, that include further implementation of its grid hardening management initiatives, and prioritizing mitigations based upon a more developed understanding of all risks. Progress in all areas must be demonstrated in PacificCorp’s future WMPs.