Electrical Line Fire Protection Upgrade
The funding would be used for purchase the 572 non-expulsion fuses. When a standard fuse operates, turning off power due to system overload or a fault detection on the circuit, the fuse opens and expels hot metal. Replacement of standard fuses with non-expulsion fuses reduces fire risk by eliminating the expulsion of hot metal onto the ground below the fuse, which may be covered with fuels, especially in the late summer months. These funds will benefit residents by reducing wildfire risk and vegetation management expenses within the Trinity PUD Service Territory.
“The installation of the non-expulsion fuses purchased with this funding will allow Trinity PUD to significantly improve fire safety in our community through the replacement of the existing fuses that expel sparks when they operate. The non-expulsion fuses will decrease the likelihood of fires on our system and lower costs for our customers as we are able to reduce the amount of clearing required around our utility poles,” said Paul Hauser, General Manager at Trinity Public Utilities District.
Nick Goulette, Co-Executive Director at the Watershed Research and Training Center, added, “The dramatic increase in the potential for and severity of wildfires in California has required all sectors of our community to prioritize wildfire resilience and mitigation measures. The acquisition of these expulsion fuses will support TPUD's ongoing efforts to reduce wildfire risk for the citizens of Trinity County and our critical natural resources.”
“TPUD’s 600 miles of power lines are in the Shasta Trinity and Six Rivers National Forests are particularly vulnerable to wildfire risk. The replacement of the existing fuses with the non-expulsion fuses will dramatically reduce the wildfire risk for our community,” said Kelly Sheen, Executive Director at Trinity County Resource Conservation District.
Fabio Robles, Superintendent of Schools at Trinity County Office of Education shared, “On behalf of Trinity County’s school districts, we appreciate the investment TPUD is making in our local power infrastructure to reduce the potential for wildfires that impact our local staff, students, and families.”
Awarded: $360,000
Location: Trinity County