1. (1) A qualified utility shall submit a wildland fire protection plan that includes the items required by Subsection 54-24-201(2) to the Commission for approval on June 1, 2020 and each October 1 every third year thereafter.

2. (2) The Commission shall provide public notice of the wildland fire protection plan filing, solicit input on such plan from the State Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands, hold a scheduling conference, and set a schedule that allows time for a Commission decision within 120 days of a qualified utility's submittal of a wildland fire protection plan, unless the Commission determines that additional time is warranted and is in the public interest.

   1. (i) The Commission shall enter any input received from the State Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands into the record after 45 days, or indicate on the record that no such input was received.

      1. (ii) Within the 30 days following entry of input from the State Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands into the record, or entry that no such input was received, interested parties may file comments on the qualified utility's wildland fire protection plan.
      2. (iii) The qualified utility shall have 15 days to respond to any comments.
      3. (iv) Unless the Commission determines that another process or additional time is warranted and is in the public interest, the Commission will issue an order within 120 days of a qualified utility's submittal of a wildland fire protection plan.

3. (3) The Commission shall approve a qualified utility's wildland fire protection plan to the extent that the evidence in the record establishes that it:

   1. (i) is reasonable and in the public interest; and

      1. (ii) appropriately balances the costs of implementing the wildland fire protection plan with the risk of a potential wildland fire.

KEY: public utilities; wildland fire protection plan

Date of Last Change: December 9, 2020

Notice of Continuation: December 3, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 54-24-103