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Despite state law, only eight of 160 utility companies in Texas have filed wildfire response plans
Lawmakers say 135 utilities are still preparing plans, while 13 have not responded to the Public Utility Commission, as January deadlines approach.
- Only 8 of 160 utility companies operating in fire-prone Texas have complied with a state wildfire mitigation law, lawmakers learned on Monday, leaving 152 firms facing a January deadline.
- House Bill 145, prompted by the devastating 2024 Panhandle wildfires, requires utilities to submit emergency protocols and vegetation management plans; King, a Republican from Canadian, pressed companies on their lack of compliance.
- Connie Corona, director at the Public Utility Commission, reported that 135 companies are preparing plans while 13 have not communicated their intentions; the commission created a model template for smaller utilities.
- Expressing frustration, King warned, "I think it's imperative for anybody that has not filed that report to realize January is coming," while Mark Bell, CEO for the Association of Electric Companies of Texas, testified all plans remain on track for year-end.
- With more than 1,200 fires reported this year, Nim Kidd, Chief for the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said the state continues supporting local governments as Xcel Energy deploys 97 AI-powered detection cameras and implements power shutoffs.
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19 Articles
19 Articles
Despite state law, only eight of 160 utility companies in Texas have filed wildfire response plans – WTOP News
Only eight of 160 utility companies that operate in fire-prone areas of Texas have complied with a law that helps mitigate wildfires, lawmakers recently learned
·Chevy Chase, United States
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Associated Press News+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Despite state law, only eight of 160 utility companies in Texas have filed wildfire response plans
Only eight of 160 utility companies that operate in fire-prone areas of Texas have complied with a law that helps mitigate wildfires, lawmakers recently learned.
·New York, United States
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Despite state law, only eight of 160 utility companies have filed wildfire response plans
Lawmakers recently learned of the slow progress made by the companies, which have four months to come under compliance with the law prompted by the 2024 Panhandle wildfires.
·San Antonio, United States
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Total News Sources19
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution69% Center
Bias Distribution
- 69% of the sources are Center
69% Center
L 26%
C 69%
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