Wildfire mitigation plans: fire retardants.
The enactment of AB 956 would significantly impact the procedures and methods employed by electrical corporations and local publicly owned electric utilities when preparing their annual wildfire mitigation plans. By explicitly including fire-retardant chemicals in these plans, the bill aims to provide utilities with a more robust toolkit for managing wildfire risks effectively. This change acknowledges the growing threat of wildfires and seeks to improve safety measures through systematic risk assessments and mitigation strategies that use approved chemicals.
Assembly Bill No. 956, introduced by Assembly Member Flora, pertains to wildfire mitigation and the regulation of fire-retardant chemicals. The bill proposes the addition of Section 8386.7 to the Public Utilities Code, which explicitly permits wildfire mitigation plans to incorporate the use of state-approved fire-retardant chemicals. This move is intended to enhance the existing wildfire mitigation strategies by allowing for a more structured approach to utilizing chemicals that can help in controlling wildfires.
While the bill is positioned as a means to enhance safety and environmental protection, it may also raise concerns among various stakeholders. Critics may argue about the environmental impact of using fire-retardant chemicals, and the potential long-term effects these chemicals could have on ecosystems and public health. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the adequacy of the measures in ensuring that these chemicals are safe and effective, along with calls for stringent oversight of their application in wildfire mitigation plans.