CC SR 20200915 E - Letter to Senator McGuire
RANCHO PALOS VERDES CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: 09/15/2020
AGENDA REPORT AGENDA HEADING: Consent Calendar
AGENDA TITLE:
Consideration and possible action to send a letter of acknowledgement to Senator Mike
McGuire thanking him for his legislation pertaining to utility undergrounding for wildfire
mitigation.
RECOMMENDED COUNCIL ACTION:
(1) Authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to Senator McGuire thanking him for his
legislation pertaining to utility undergrounding for wildfire mitigation.
FISCAL IMPACT: None
Amount Budgeted: N/A
Additional Appropriation: N/A
Account Number(s): N/A
ORIGINATED BY: Megan Barnes, Senior Administrative Analyst
REVIEWED BY: Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
APPROVED BY: Ara Mihranian, AICP, City Manager
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
A. Draft letter to Senator McGuire (page A-1)
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION:
On July 21, 2020, the City Council authorized the Mayor to sign a letter in support of
Senate Bill No. 1312, which, among other wildfire prevention-related provisions, would
have required the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to revise the Electric
Tariff Rule 20 program to include wildfire mitigation.
California’s Rule 20 program allows local governments to pay for costly undergrounding
projects with utility ratepayer funds. Although overhead electric utility equipment is a
common source of ignition for wildfires, the Rule 20 program remains primarily focused
on aesthetics and does not factor in fire hazard. Unless projects meet the program’s
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limited eligibility criteria — namely, being located along a major street — they are left to
be funded by property owners who are proactive, willing and able to foot the bill.
Recognizing the potential to use undergrounding for fire prevention, and the limitations
of Rule 20, the City has spent the past year advocating for the CPUC to amend the
program to include wildfire mitigation projects.
Despite passing the Senate, SB 1312 did not advance out of the Assembly Utilities and
Energy Committee. Staff understands that due to pandemic-related time constraints on
the legislative session, the committee chair decided not to take up bills related to public
safety power shutoffs, including SB 1312.
Mayor Cruikshank has requested the City send a letter to Senator McGuire thanking
him for his legislation and requesting he continue to pursue this issue , as fire hazards
persist. Staff has reached out to Senator McGuire’s office to inquire as to whether he
plans to revisit the bill next year.
Due to the pertinence of this issue and the ongoing need to underground power lines for
fire prevention, Staff recommends the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign a letter
of acknowledgement to Senator McGuire, as drafted, or with revisions.
ALTERNATIVES:
In addition to the Staff recommendation, the following alternative actions are available
for the City Council’s consideration:
1. Do not authorize the Mayor to sign the letter.
2. Take other action as deemed appropriate by the City Council.
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September 15, 2020 Via Email
The Honorable Mike McGuire
California State Senate
State Capitol, Rm. 5061
Sacramento, CA 95814
SUBJECT: Rule 20 Undergrounding for Wildfire Prevention
Dear Senator McGuire:
The City of Rancho Palos Verdes thanks you for your efforts with SB 1312 to require the
California Public Utilities Commission to revise the Electric Tariff Rule 20 program to
include wildfire mitigation. Although the bill did not advance to the Assembly floor, we
appreciate your inclusion of this critical provision in the bill. As California’s fire season
rages on, we ask that you continue to pursue this change, and offer any assistance and
support you may need.
Rancho Palos Verdes is the most populated California city with 90% or more of
residents living in a Cal Fire-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and
wildfire prevention is a top priority of our City. Virtually the entire Palos Verdes
Peninsula falls within a CPUC-designated Tier 2 High Fire Threat District. For the past
year, the City has advocated for the CPUC to revise Rule 20 to factor in fire prevention.
Cities need every tool available to them to defend against wildfire threats and make our
communities safer. By allowing Rule 20 funds to be spent on wildfire mitigation, where
appropriate, the risk of a utility power line-sparked wildfire will decrease.
Thank you again for your leadership on this issue and we look forward to working with
you to make it possible for more communities to put power lines underground for fire
prevention.
Sincerely,
John Cruikshank
Mayor
A-1
Senator Mike McGuire
July 21, 2020
Page 2
cc: Ben Allen, Senator, 26th State Senate District
Al Muratsuchi, Assembly Member, 66th Assembly District
Jeff Kiernan, League of California Cities
Meg Desmond, League of California Cities
Marcel Rodarte, California Contract Cities Association
Rancho Palos Verdes City Council
Ara Mihranian, City Manager
Karina Bañales, Deputy City Manager
A-2