As we move into the last full month of fire season, we are fortunate so far that no large wildfires have developed in Coos or Curry counties. The Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative’s operations department is actively using the tools spelled out in our Wildfire Mitigation Plan to minimize the possibility of the electric system sparking a wildfire. At CCEC, we value public and employee safety above all else. Given the devastation that wildfires can cause, we work year-round to mitigate this risk.

Wildfire mitigation is one area where rural electric cooperatives band together through our state and national associations to lobby for better legislation. It will help if our elected officials in Washington, D.C., pass pending legislation to give us the right tools to effectively manage vegetation near power lines.

We understand the U.S. Senate may soon consider the Fix Our Forests Act, S. 1462. A version of this legislation has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support—a rarity these days in our nation’s capital.

The bill makes some key changes to how federal forests are managed, including many that enhance wildfire mitigation efforts. Specifically, it would:

• Expand electric utility authority to remove hazard trees from within 10 feet to 150 feet of electric power lines.

• Establish expedited timelines for federal agency review and approval of vegetation management plans.

• Streamline timber sale and removal processes to reduce fuel loads near electric power lines.

We will keep you posted on this important legislation as we get closer to a vote in the Senate, and we may even ask you to lend your voice to the effort. To learn about how you can lend your voice in support, visit voicesforcooperativepower.com/oregonfof or scan the QR code.

Brent Bischoff

General Manager and CEO