The frequency and intensity of wildfires is increasing, posing serious operational and financial challenges to electric utilities. The risk of wildfires, once considered an issue for the Western U.S, is now a national concern. Public utility commissions play a crucial role in addressing wildfire risk by ensuring that electric utilities operate safely and reliably, carefully weighing the costs and benefits of wildfire mitigation approaches.
NARUC created the Wildfire Workbook for Utility Regulators to provide commissions with a compilation of wildfire-related policies and practices in use today, as well as key considerations for future action. Content addresses utility risk management and operational practices, financial and cost-recovery mechanisms, as well as coordination with stakeholders.
Information compiled in the workbook is not "best practices." This is by design, because each state has nuances that dictate what is acceptable and appropriate for geography, utilities, rules, regulations, and policies within their authority.
The Wildfire Workbook is divided into seven chapters, each examining a specific wildfire-related topic. Each chapter is available in e-book and PDF format.
Read NARUC President Ann Rendahl's foreword to the Wildfire Workbook.
Additional Wildfire Resources
- Tech Talk for Regulators Episode Four: Utility Wildfire Mitigation Regulations - California CPUC and OEIS, May 2025
Featuring Commissioner Darcie Houck of the California Public Utility Commission and Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs of the CA Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety discussion the unique roles their agencies play with regard to mitigating utility wildfires in their state. This conversation explores the roles and responsibilities of the California Public Utilities Commission and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety in regulating utilities and ensuring wildfire safety. The discussion highlights the importance of incentivizing investments in energy infrastructure to mitigate wildfire risks and improve overall safety.
- Tech Talk for Regulators Episode Three: Wildfire Technology, April 2025
Wildfires present a significant risk to critical infrastructure, endangering energy systems by damaging transmission lines and imposing a variety of costs on utilities and their customers. Wildfires have increased nationally in both extent and intensity as vegetation conditions become drier and wind patterns become more turbulent. Aging infrastructure may also cause transmission lines to ignite vegetation. For questions regarding NARUC CPI’s wildfire initiative, contact Jody Raines.
- Regulators’ Roundtable on Financial Impacts of Wildfires, June 24, 2024
- Speakers:
- Gabe Grosberg, S&P
- Edna Marinelarena, Moody’s
- Emily Fisher, EEI
- Regulators’ Roundtable on Mitigation Oversight, Affordability & Cost Recovery, August 5, 2024
- Speakers:
- Eric Macomber, Stanford
- Stephanie Ogren, CA Energy Infrastructure Safety
- Rebecca O’Neil and Andre Coleman, PNNL
- Regulators’ Roundtable on Comprehensive Policy Approaches, October 8, 2024
- Speakers:
- Caroline Thomas Jacobs, CA Energy Infrastructure Safety
- Michael Wara, Stanford University
- Riaz Mohammed, Xcel Energy