REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Action on the City of Santa Clara Electric Department dba Silicon Valley Power 2026 - 2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Report
BACKGROUND
The California Public Utilities Code Section 8387, as amended by Senate Bill 901 in 2018, requires every local publicly owned electric utility, including the City of Santa Clara’s Silicon Valley Power (SVP), to prepare a Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP). Among other requirements, State law requires the WMP to address: (1) preventive strategies and programs designed to minimize the risk of electrical lines and equipment causing catastrophic wildfires; (2) vegetation management practices; and (3) inspection programs for electrical infrastructure. On June 25, 2019, the City Council approved SVP’s initial WMP, which included SVP’s remote electric transmission assets. Under the amendments made to Public Utilities Code section 8387 following the passage of Senate Bill 254 (SB 254) in September 2025, SVP’s regulatory schedule for updating and submitting its WMP to the Wildfire Safety Advisory Board (WSAB) has been modified to be every other year beginning in 2026.
SVP’s service territory is contiguous with the City of Santa Clara’s city limits with limited service in neighboring jurisdictions and is situated in an urban environment. Based on historical fire data and local conditions, and in consultation with local fire departments, there is no significant risk of catastrophic wildfire resulting from overhead electrical lines and equipment within SVP’s service territory. Therefore, the WMP focuses on the management of remote assets outside of SVP’s service territory.
The City of Santa Clara (City) owns generation facilities and related transmission assets outside of SVP’s service territory. These include the following:
• The Grizzly Hydroelectric Project (Grizzly), a part of the Bucks Creek Project, FERC No. 619, located in Plumas County, California. To allow for the delivery of energy from Grizzly and interconnection to Pacific Gas & Electric’s transmission system, the City owns approximately 4.2 miles of a 115 kV generation tie line and other appurtenant facilities. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) operates and maintains Grizzly, including the generation tie line, pursuant to the Grizzly Operation and Maintenance Agreement. The Grizzly generation tie line is included in the scope of PG&E’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
• The Black Butte Hydroelectric Project (Black Butte), FERC No. 3190 located in Glenn County, California. Through this project, the City owns a 9.5 mile long 60 kV generation tie line interconnecting Black Butte to PG&E’s existing 60 kV line near the city of Orland, California. SVP maintains the generation tie line.
• The Stony Gorge Hydroelectric Project (Stony Gorge), FERC No. 3193, located in Glenn County, California. Through this project, the City owns a one mile-long, 60 kV generation tie line connecting Stony Gorge with PG&E’s Elk Creek Substation north of the powerhouse. SVP maintains the generation tie line.
• The High Line Canal Hydroelectric Project (High Line), FERC No. 7252, located in Glenn County, California. Through this project, the City owns an approximately 75 foot long 12 kV three phase generation tie line that interconnects with existing PG&E lines. SVP maintains the generation tie line. High Line is less than 0.5 MW and is no longer in operation. SVP has retired the unit with the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and will be working with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to surrender the license and decommission this project. This unit will be removed from SVP’s WMP.
• A 4.98 percent ownership interest in a 230 kV double circuit transmission line between Castle Rock Junction and Lakeville Substation in an area known as the Geysers, pursuant to a co-tenancy agreement in the Castle Rock Junction-Lakeville 230 kV Transmission Line, dated June 1, 1984. This line allows for the transmission of the City’s share of energy from the Geyer’s Geothermal Generation Project. PG&E operates and maintains the transmission line; this line is included within the scope of PG&E’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
SVP used the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Fire Threat Map (WMP Appendix A) and historical fire map data to determine the level of wildfire risk. The CPUC Fire-Threat Map has two tiers (Tier 2 fire threat area and Tier 3 fire threat area). Tier 2 fire-threat areas are areas where there is an elevated risk (including likelihood and potential impact on people and property) from utility associated wildfires. Tier 3 fire-threat areas are areas where there is an extreme risk of wildfires (including likelihood and potential impact on people and property).
DISCUSSION
This year, SVP staff conducted a comprehensive review of the WMP to determine whether conditions warranted revisions to the plan. As part of this process, SVP consulted with staff from the Wildfire Safety Advisory Board (WSAB) to obtain their recommendations and retained an independent evaluator to assess the current WMP for compliance with Public Utilities Code section 8387. Staff reviewed the recommendations provided by both the WSAB and the independent evaluator and incorporated appropriate revisions into the WMP. The review did not identify any conditions requiring material changes to the WMP, and no material changes were made as a result of the review. A summary of changes incorporated into the WMP can be found in Appendix B of the WMP.
Once approved by the City Council, the WMP will be submitted to the WSAB, which is responsible for reviewing wildfire mitigation plans and providing any additional changes or suggestions.
In 2025, SVP implemented a significant wildfire mitigation measure by taking the Stony Gorge and Black Butte hydroelectric plants offline from May through October during the higher risk wildfire season. SVP implemented the same mitigation measure in 2026. No fire ignitions or downed wire events were reported with respect to the transmission lines associated with these hydroelectric plants in either 2025 or 2026 to date.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to section 15378(b)(2) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations as a continuing administrative activity (general policy and procedure making).
FISCAL IMPACT
The maintenance of an SVP Wildfire Mitigation Plan consolidates and formalizes established SVP preventive maintenance procedures and practices. Related expenses have been included in the Generation and Transmission and Distribution program operating budgets within the Utility Operations Division in the Electric Utility Fund.
COORDINATION
This report has been coordinated with the Finance Department and City Attorney’s Office.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
1. Approve and adopt the Silicon Valley Power 2026 - 2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan with any comments and confirm that this plan complies with all applicable rules, regulations, and standards; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute and/or submit any and all documents, notices, disclosures, plans, reports, forecasts, filings, certifications, attestations, or declarations which are necessary, appropriate, advisable, or required by state or local agencies in connection with the 2026 - 2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
Staff
Reviewed by: Nico Procos, Director of Silicon Valley Power
Approved by: Jovan D. Grogan, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Proposed Silicon Valley Power 2026 - 2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan