Sen. Dodd Issues Statement on Gov. Newsom’s Wildfire Report

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, issued the following statement today in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s strike team report on wildfires and utility safety:

“The bottom line is that given the threat of climate change and catastrophic wildfires, we need to take bold steps to protect the public and ensure affordable, reliable energy delivery,” Sen. Dodd said. “Since Day 1, the governor has been laser-focused on making California safer and more resilient to the ongoing wildfire threat. I have been working closely with his office and look forward to partnering to refine and pass a package of reforms to protect the state in this ‘new normal.’ I’ve already introduced my own slate of wildfire protection bills that are aligned with many of the ideas articulated by the governor’s report.”

Sen. Dodd’s wildfire bills include:

Senate Bill 167/De-Energizing Backup Power: Requires utilities to develop plans for helping low-income people on life-support equipment when power lines are de-energized to prevent fires.

SB 190/Defensible Space: Directs the state Fire Marshal to support local governments to increase awareness and compliance with requirements for clearing vegetation from around homes.

SB 209/Wildfire Warning Center: Establishes statewide network of automated weather and environmental monitoring stations to better prevent and respond to wildfires.

SB 247/Wildfire Prevention: Transfers vegetation inspection duties around power lines from utilities to Cal Fire to ensure the utilities have met their safety obligations.

SB 290/California Disaster Insurance: Authorizes the state to buy insurance to protect it against the unexpected costs of disaster response, allowing the state to invest more in prevention and mitigation.

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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.