Qualified Independent Evaluator PUC § 8387(c): The local publicly owned electric utility or electrical cooperative shall contract with a qualified independent evaluator with experience in assessing the safe operation of electrical infrastructure to review and assess the comprehensiveness of its wildfire mitigation plan. The independent evaluator shall issue a report that shall be made available on the Internet Web site of the local publicly owned electric utility or electrical cooperative, and shall present the report at a public meeting of the local publicly owned electric utility’s or electrical cooperative’s governing board. https://www.victorvilleca.gov/home/show/publisheddocument/4157/637262615505930000
VMUS is governed by the Victorville City Council. This plan was brought forth to the City Council and members of the public on June 21, 2022. Due to the adoption of the plan, not requiring a notice of public hearing or any special noticing requirements, the noticing of the plan followed the City's standards per the Brown Act. The agenda was posted a week in advance and public comment is a section of the agenda where members of the public can speak freely on any item on the agenda. Members of the public are given three minutes to speak on their items; at the time of the plan's adoption, there were no speakers.
Victorville Municipal Utility Service's current and historical Wildfire Mitigation Plan are available on the City of Victorville's website ( www.victorvilleca.gov). Once on the City's website, Utilities can be found under the listing of City departments. The Wildfire Mitigation Plans, both past and present, can be accessed by following the link for Utilities forms and publications.
Victorville Municipal Utility Services electric supply system is located underground in conduit and vaults. Historically, underground electric lines have not been associated with catastrophic wildfires. The undergrounding of electric lines serves as an effective mitigation measure to reduce the potential of powerline ignited wildfires. Based on a review of local conditions and historical fires, VMUS has determined that its electrical lines and equipment do not pose a significant risk of catastrophic wildfire.
Despite this low risk, VMUS takes appropriate actions to help its region prevent and respond to the increasing risk of devastating wildfires. In its role as a public agency, VMUS closely coordinates with other local safety and emergency officials to help protect against fires and respond to emergencies. In its role as a utility, VMUS follows all applicable design, construction, operation, and maintenance requirements that reduce safety risks associated with its system. This Wildfire Mitigation Plan describes the safety-related measures that VMUS follows to reduce its risk of causing wildfires.
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