Electric Cooperatives Tackle Rising Wildfire Risks, Call for Congressional Action
Electric cooperatives across the United States are actively engaging in wildfire risk reduction, response, and recovery efforts. These cooperatives manage extensive power lines that traverse forests, grasslands, and federally managed lands, which are increasingly susceptible to wildfires due to hotter, drier conditions and extended fire seasons. The cooperatives are implementing proactive strategies such as expanding vegetation management programs, removing hazardous trees, and upgrading infrastructure to enhance resilience. Despite these efforts, outdated federal policies are hindering progress. Current regulations limit the removal of hazardous trees to a mere 10 feet from power lines, which is insufficient to protect critical infrastructure. Additionally, cooperatives face financial constraints as not-for-profit entities, making it challenging to absorb rising costs associated with wildfire mitigation. 
