Electric utility distribution and transmission system facilities: undergrounding and insulation.

Senator Choi's proposal directs the Public Utilities Commission to examine options for protecting electrical infrastructure from wildfires through a comprehensive study of undergrounding and insulating utility transmission lines. The legislation establishes a working group to analyze costs, compile existing wildfire mitigation reports, and develop an investment strategy for high-risk areas by July 2027.

The working group would focus on three categories of vulnerable locations: very high fire hazard severity zones, Wildland Urban Interface Fire Areas, and state forests. Their analysis must evaluate both the direct costs of infrastructure modifications and potential alternative approaches to support electrical corporations in preventing fires. The resulting investment plan, due to the Legislature by mid-2027, would outline specific recommendations for protecting utility facilities in these designated high-risk regions.

The bill creates a temporary mandate that expires in January 2031, providing a defined timeline for the Commission to complete its assessment and implementation planning while maintaining existing regulatory frameworks. The working group's findings would inform future policy decisions about infrastructure investments and wildfire prevention strategies across California's electrical grid system.