Section 54-24-201 - Wildland fire protection plan for a qualified utility(1) A qualified utility shall prepare a wildland fire protection plan in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.(2) A wildland fire protection plan under Subsection (1) shall include: (a) a description of areas within the service territory of the qualified utility that may be subject to a heightened risk of wildland fire;(b) a description of the procedures, standards, and time frames that the qualified utility will use to inspect and operate its infrastructure;(c) a description of the procedures and standards that the qualified utility will use to perform vegetation management;(d) a description of proposed modifications or upgrades to facilities and preventative programs that the qualified utility will implement to reduce the risk of its electric facilities initiating a wildland fire;(e) a description of procedures for de-energizing power lines and disabling reclosers to mitigate potential wildland fires taking into consideration:(i) the ability of the qualified utility to reasonably access the proposed power line to be de-energized;(ii) the balance of the risk of wildland fire with the need for continued supply of electricity to a community; and(iii) any potential impact to public safety, first responders, and health and communication infrastructure;(f) a description of the procedures the qualified utility intends to use to restore its electrical system in the event of a wildland fire;(g) a description of the costs for the implementation of the plan, including system improvements and upgrades;(h) a description of community outreach and public awareness efforts before and during a wildland fire season; and(i) a description of potential participation, if applicable, with state or local wildland fire protection plans.(3)(a) A qualified utility shall submit the wildland fire protection plan described in this section to the commission: (i) on or before June 1, 2020; and(ii) on or before October 1 of every third year after calendar year 2020.(b) The commission shall: (i) review the plan submitted under Subsection (3)(a); and(ii) consider input from:(A) the State Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands created in Section 65A-1-4;(B) any other appropriate federal, state, or local entity that chooses to provide input; and(C) other interested persons who choose to provide input.(c) The commission shall approve a wildland fire protection plan submitted under Subsection (3)(a) if the plan: (i) is reasonable and in the public interest; and(ii) appropriately balances the costs of implementing the plan with the risk of a potential wildland fire.(4) No later than June 1, 2021, and each year after 2021, a qualified utility shall submit to the commission a report detailing the qualified utility's compliance with the qualified utility's wildland fire protection plan.Added by Chapter 162, 2020 General Session ,§ 4, eff. 5/12/2020.