Northern Lights Inc. Wildfire Mitigation Plan Application Approved
Summary
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has approved Northern Lights, Inc.'s application for its 2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan. The plan details risk assessments, preventive programs, and operational practices to reduce wildfire risk across the company's service territory.
What changed
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (PUC) issued Order No. 36963, approving Northern Lights, Inc.'s 2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP). The approved plan, filed under Idaho Code §61-1801, et seq., incorporates a baseline wildfire risk assessment, identifies high-risk areas along the Idaho-Montana border, and outlines preventive measures. These measures include vegetation management, system hardening, operational adjustments during high-risk periods, and potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) considerations.
This approval signifies a substantive regulatory action by the PUC, establishing the framework for Northern Lights' wildfire mitigation efforts for the next three years. Regulated entities, particularly utilities operating in wildfire-prone areas, should note the detailed risk assessment and mitigation strategies outlined in the plan. While this is a notice of approval, interested parties had a deadline to intervene, indicating a period for public engagement prior to finalization. The plan will be reviewed and updated annually.
What to do next
- Review Northern Lights, Inc.'s 2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan for relevant practices.
- Note the identified high-risk areas and mitigation strategies employed by Northern Lights.
- Monitor annual updates to the WMP as required by the Commission.
Source document (simplified)
ORDER NO. 36963 1 Office of the Secretary Service Date March 19, 2026 BEFORE THE IDAHO PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IN THE MATTER OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, INC.’S APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF ITS 2026-2028 WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) CASE NO. C10-E-26-01 NOTICE OF INTERVENTION DEADLINE ORDER NO. 36963 On February 2, 2026, Northern Lights, Inc. (“Company”) filed its 2026-2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (“2026 WMP”) with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (“Commission”). On February 19, 2026, the Company filed an Updated Application (“Application”), requesting approval of its 2026 WMP, in accordance with Idaho Code §61-1801, et seq., the Wildfire Standard of Care Act, (“WSCA”). The Commission now issues this Notice of Application and sets deadlines by which interested persons may intervene. YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the 2026 WMP is a rolling three-year plan covering 2026–2028 that will be reviewed and updated annually to incorporate lessons learned, updated risk modeling, evolving mitigation practices, and revised budget forecasts in accordance with Order No. 36774. Application at 2. Consistent with Idaho Code § 61-1803(3)(a), the Company conducted a baseline wildfire risk assessment using models incorporating vegetation, weather, topography, historical fire occurrence, and asset location to identify areas of heightened wildfire risk. Id. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company’s risk mapping indicates that the eastern portion of the Company’s service territory along the Idaho–Montana border and into Montana presents higher wildfire risk. Id. These modeled severity levels guide prioritization of mitigation actions, including vegetation management, inspection frequency, system hardening investments, relay setting adjustments, and potential Public Safety Power Shutoff (“PSPS”) consideration. Id. at 2-3. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that in accordance with Idaho Code § 61-1803(3)(b), the 2026 WMP outlines preventive programs to reduce wildfire risk, including situational
ORDER NO. 36963 2 awareness, asset inspections, vegetation management, operational practices during heightened wildfire risk, workforce training, and community outreach. Id. at 3. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company uses weather and fire data sources, including National Weather Service data and fire forecasting tools, and is developing a proprietary weather station network that will integrate into a Daily Situational Awareness Tool expected by the end of 2026. Id. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Company’s inspection program aims to inspect all overhead distribution lines on a seven-year cycle and includes annual pole testing and meter inspections, with deficiencies tracked through a GIS-based system. Id. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that vegetation management follows a seven-year trim cycle, prioritizes hazard tree removal in elevated risk areas, and uses satellite imagery and AI- assisted analysis to guide work planning. Id. at 4. Operational practices include seasonal protection settings and a PSPS program implemented as a measure of last resort. Id. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the 2026 WMP emphasizes stakeholder coordination, public communication, and emergency response planning, including outreach to members, coordination with local jurisdictions and tribal entities, and consultation with the Idaho State Forester. Id. at 4-5. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the 2026 WMP is included as Attachment A to the Application. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the Application and 2026 WMP are available for public inspection during regular business hours at the Commission’s office. These documents are also available on the Commission’s website at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the “ELECTRIC” icon, select “Open Cases,” and click on the case number as shown on the front of this document. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that all proceedings in this case will be held pursuant to the Commission’s jurisdiction under Title 61 of the Idaho Code, and that all proceedings in this matter will be conducted pursuant to the Commission’s Rules of Procedure, IDAPA 31.01.01.000 et seq. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter to obtain parties’ rights of participation must file a Petition to Intervene with the Commission
ORDER NO. 36963 3 pursuant to this Commission’s Rules of Procedure 72 and 73, IDAPA 31.01.01.072 and -.073. Persons who wish to intervene as a party must file a Petition to Intervene no later than 21 days after the date of service of this Order. Such persons shall also provide the Commission Secretary with their email address to facilitate further communications. After the intervention deadline runs, the Commission Secretary shall issue a Notice of Parties that identifies the parties and assigns exhibit numbers to each party. Once the Notice of Parties has issued, Commission Staff shall informally confer with the Company and any intervening parties about how to further process this case and shall then report back to the Commission on a proposed case schedule. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that persons who would like to present their views without parties’ rights of participation and cross-examination do not have to intervene but may present their views by submitting written comments to the Commission. YOU ARE FURTHER NOTIFIED that the following people are designated as the Company’s representatives in this matter: Kristin Burge Engineering & Operations Manager Northern Lights, Inc. P.O. Box 269 Sagle, ID 83860 Kristin.burge@nli.com Susan P. Weeks James, Vernon & Weeks, P.A. 1626 Lincoln Way Coeur d’ Alene, ID 83814 sweeks@jvwlaw.net ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that persons desiring to intervene in this matter must file a Petition to Intervene no later than 21 days from the service date of this Order. Once the deadline has passed, the Commission Secretary shall prepare and issue a Notice of Parties. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, after the Notice of Parties has issued, Commission Staff shall confer with the parties regarding a procedural schedule for this matter including, if necessary, a hearing in this matter. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that parties comply with Order No. 35375, issued April 21, 2022. Generally, all pleadings should be filed with the Commission electronically and will be deemed timely filed when received by the Commission Secretary. See Rule 14.02. Service between parties should continue to be accomplished electronically when possible. However, voluminous discovery-related documents may be filed and served on CD-ROM or a USB flash drive.
ORDER NO. 36963 4 DONE by Order of the Idaho Public Utilities Commission at Boise, Idaho this 19th day of March, 2026. __________________________________________ EDWARD LODGE, PRESIDENT __________________________________________ JOHN R. HAMMOND JR., COMMISSIONER __________________________________________ DAYN HARDIE, COMMISSIONER ATTEST: Monica Barrios-Sanchez Commission Secretary I:\Legal\ELECTRIC\C10-E-26-01NLI WMP\orders\C10E2601ntcappint_em.docx
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