FortisBC submits its Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Policy to the BCUC

May 21, 2025

The electricity utility’s PSPS Policy aims to keep the public safe during periods of extreme wildfire risk

SURREY, B.C.—May 21, 2025: In response to escalating effects of extreme weather, recent devastating wildfire activity and evolving industry practices, FortisBC Inc. (“FortisBC”) has developed a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Policy and on May 20, submitted its policy to the British Columbia Utilities Commission (BCUC), as directed.

A PSPS event is a preventative measure where FortisBC would temporarily shut off power to limited sections of its electricity system to reduce potential ignition sources during periods of extreme wildfire risk and high sustained wind speeds. A PSPS Policy is a new addition to FortisBC’s comprehensive set of wildfire safety practices and is a tool of last resort to help keep customers and communities safe.

FortisBC’s goal is always to keep the power on and it anticipates the use of this policy to be rare. The decision to implement a PSPS event will only be made based upon careful monitoring for extreme fire risk conditions including a Fire Weather Index of greater than 47 and sustained wind speeds forecast to be more than 75 kilometres per hour. This is beyond a typical hot, dry summer day within those areas at greatest risk of wildfire within FortisBC’s service area. In fact, a review of historical weather data in these areas at greatest risk of wildfire over a ten-year period found only one occurrence of weather conditions that would have met the criteria for a PSPS event.

Before initiating a PSPS event, FortisBC will also consider additional factors, such as alternative mitigation strategies and input received from public safety partners, local and provincial governments, Indigenous communities and critical infrastructure providers, where available. To help communities prepare for a PSPS event, FortisBC will work to provide as much advance notice as possible and will provide updates before and throughout the outage.

FortisBC’s electricity system is designed to be reliable, ensuring continuous power supply under most conditions, however, planned and unplanned power outages can occur due to incidents like severe weather, motor vehicle accidents or necessary maintenance. FortisBC advises its customers to follow PreparedBC guidelines and be ready to manage without electricity for at least 72 hours in case of an emergency.

FortisBC has suspended its plans to implement the PSPS Policy, pending the BCUC review and in the meantime, will continue to engage with interested parties. To ensure communities are well-informed, FortisBC plans to host public information sessions this June in the areas FortisBC has identified as having the greatest wildfire risk.

For more information about FortisBC’s wildfire safety practices or to share comments and ask questions, visit fortisbc.com/wildfiresafety.

 

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