Phoenix, Ariz. – Ahead of the 2024 Wildfire Season in Arizona, more than 100 people came together for a Town Hall led by Arizona Corporation Commissioner Nick Myers and Rep. Selina Bliss (LD-1) organized in Prescott Valley.  The panel was comprised of Arizona Corporation Commissioners, along with officials representing APS, SRP, TEP, UniSource Energy Services, and the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management.  In addition to local leaders and members of the public, Arizona Senator Ken Bennett (LD-1), and Representatives Quang Nguyen (LD-1) and Justin Wilmeth (LD-2) were in attendance.  “I’m very pleased to see that our utilities are working closely with governmental agencies and the public on this critical topic,” said Commissioner Myers. “Addressing wildfires is a team effort and I’m proud that Arizona is working together to mitigate the impact of wildfires in our communities,” said Myers. 

The electric utilities delivered presentations of their current wildfire mitigation efforts, which include tree and vegetation management programs, inspection measures, grid updates, and advanced risk modeling tools.

New this year, APS is implementing a new wildfire mitigation program called Public Safety Power Shutoffs or PSPS beginning in May 2024.  During extremely high-fire risk conditions, APS may shut off power to a specific area to prevent the electric system from starting or contributing to a wildfire through a downed wire or inadvertent spark.  It is a tool that will be used only when necessary.  SRP and UniSource Energy Services/TEP officials announced their utilities are also planning to implement a PSPS program in the future.  Those who spoke out about the new wildfire mitigation program during the town hall expressed their support.  State Senator Ken Bennett, along with each of the Representatives in attendance, also expressed their support of the proactive efforts being taken to manage the risk of potentially devastating wildfires and offered to effort for funding and legislation of the mitigation programs during this legislative session.

For more information about Public Safety Power Shutoffs, please visit https://www.aps.com/psps.

To view a recording of the Town Hall, click here: https://azcc.granicus.com/player/clip/5948?view_id=3&redirect=true.