2024-02-12-minutes-public-works-study-session

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KITTITAS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS PUBLIC WORKS — BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS STUDY SESSION STAFF REPORT STUDY SESSION DATE: February 12, 2024 TOPIC: Puget Sound Energy Operational Change ACTION REQUESTED: Informational — No Board Action Required LEAD STAFF: Joshua Fredrickson RECOMMENDATION: Informational Briefing — no Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) action is required. BRIEFING SUMMARY: • Revised Code of Washington 76.04 was revised based on 2023 House Bill 1032 to address Electric Utilities wildfire risk mitigation. • Puget Sound Energy (PSE) notified Public Works of their upcoming operational changes and public outreach campaign. BACKGROUND: Wildfire risks throughout the summer season continue to be a concern throughout the state and locally. Second Substitute House Bill 1032 amends Revised Code of Washington to plan and mitigate the risk of wildfires resulting from electrical utilities through planning and identification of best management practices. Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is developing their wildfire program which covers their entire service area to promote reliable delivery and safety. PSE is one of the electrical providers in the County, serving approximately 15,000 customers. DISCUSSION: PSE met with Public Works to share their mitigation processes during high -risk weather conditions within their service area. This included sharing their risk mitigation plan to safeguard the electrical system and actions proposed if it becomes necessary. In an effort to reduce wildfire risk, PSE is developing Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program procedures as part of their Wildfire Mitigation and Response Plan. The PSPS program is PSE's proactive process to turn off electrical power to reduce the risk of a wildfire. This is being considered their tool of last resort in specific locations and under certain thresholds. PSE is developing their operational plan and developing