Electric Cooperatives Push for Federal Action Amid Rising Wildfire Risks
Electric cooperatives across the United States are intensifying efforts to mitigate wildfire risks as hotter, drier conditions and extended fire seasons become the norm. These cooperatives manage extensive power line networks in rural areas, often across federally managed lands, where wildfire threats are most acute. They are implementing proactive measures such as vegetation management, hazardous tree removal, and infrastructure upgrades to reduce fire risks. However, outdated federal policies, including restrictive vegetation management rules and lengthy permitting processes, are hindering their ability to act swiftly. The Fix Our Forests Act, recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, aims to address these challenges by expanding vegetation management authority and streamlining federal permitting processes. 
