Senator Dodd’s Wildfire Preparedness and Response Plan Advances

Thursday, July 5, 2018

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement Thursday upon the advancement of his wildfire preparedness and response bill to a rare Senate-Assembly conference committee:

“The alarming frequency of wildfires over the past year underscores the need for a holistic approach to improving the electric system that prevents future disasters while sparing ratepayers from shouldering unfair costs,” Senator Dodd said. “That means utilities planning and greater accountability for those who operate the grid. In the coming weeks, the Legislature and the governor will join forces to devise such a strategy in a public and transparent process that we believe will result in a safer California.”

Senate Bill 901 will address wildfire preparation, especially related to electric utility safety. It passed out of the Assembly Thursday on a vote of 60 to 1. It then received a unanimous vote of non-concurrence in the Senate, triggering a conference committee to decide its fate. Hearing dates for the committee are expected to be set for later this month and in August. Senator Dodd will be co-chairman of the 10-member committee.

Senator Dodd’s district has been ravaged by wildfire over the past year. First, the October 2017 wildfires charred parts of Napa and Sonoma counties, destroying thousands of homes and causing the tragic loss of life. This week’s County fire in Napa and Yolo counties has consumed more than 85,000 acres. Firefighters are currently working to contain it.

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Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.