Electrical Utility Provider Allegedly Causes Widespread Fire

Case Overview

This case involves an expansive wildfire in Texas that destroyed more than 3,000 structures and resulted in multiple deaths. Investigations have concluded that the majority of the fire was caused by equipment and infrastructure maintained by a major electrical utility provider. As part of the growing set of legal cases surrounding the fire, a team of electrical utility experts familiar with fire risk mitigation, emergency operations, and transmission/distribution was sought to consult on the matter.

Questions to the Civil Engineering expert and their responses

How often do you work with electric utilities that have fire prevention/mitigation programs in place?

I have 30 years of experience working on and around electrical utilities, including inspecting and managing public and investor-owned utilities.

What protocols are in place to prevent electrical utility equipment from sparking catastrophic wildfires?

Pre-emptive de-energization is usually rare and is typically done if crews must work on major parts of the grid (especially on 220 kV and 500 kV lines). One way to approach this case would be to consider whether the specific transmission lines within the fire areas were in compliance with the NERC regulations at the time, or whether the electric company did not maintain these lines at safe capacity from arcing and starting wildfires. There may be locations in remote wildfire areas where lines are not in compliance with NERC requirements.

Under what circumstances might a utility preemptively de-energize part of an electrical grid as a means of preventing fires?

Pre-emptive de-energization is usually rare and is typically done if crews must work on major parts of the grid (especially on 220 kV and 500 kV lines). I previously worked for one such company as one of their project managers who estimated and hired contractors for these repairs - such as raising transmission arms and cables because they were too low, or because lines were within vegetation. I was one of two quality assurance inspectors who traveled within grid territories looking for such violations.

About the expert

This expert has over 30 years of inspection and project management experience for major California electrical utilities. He is a member of local chapter 441 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, as well as the International Association of Electrical Inspectors. This expert formerly served as a Senior Electrical Utility Inspector for the City of Anaheim, as well as a Senior Quality Assurance Inspector for Pacific Gas & Electric. He served as a Civil Underground Division Inspector for Southern California Edison and as an Assistant Project Manager for Giacalone Design Services. This expert currently serves as a customer project planner/government liaison planner for a gas and electric company in San Diego, where he conducts field inspections, plans construction orders, and coordinates with public agencies.