Chavez-DeRemer intros bill to allow removal of hazardous trees near power lines on federal land without a timber sale

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), David Valadao (CA-24), and Jim Costa (CA-21) have introduced bipartisan legislation they say would reduce the risk of wildfires across the West and nation by streamlining removal of hazardous trees near power lines on federal land.

The Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act would allow the U.S. Forest Service to approve the removal of hazardous trees near power lines on federal land without requiring a timber sale – easing a serious threat that has been a major cause of destructive wildfires in the past.

“We must keep exploring all options available to prevent wildfires from scorching precious land and destroying our communities. I’m honored to join Congressman Carbajal to introduce the bipartisan Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act, which would make it easier for electric cooperatives and companies to remove branches near electric equipment. It’s a commonsense proposal that would help prevent one major cause of devastating wildfires,” Chavez-DeRemer said. 

“The causes of wildfires are not a mystery to us. We know that downed trees and dead branches pose a serious threat when dry and windy conditions set in on the West Coast. But right now, red tape can get in the way of us removing those risk factors from public lands,” said Carbajal. “Our bill is a no-brainer for western states who have seen electrical equipment and dry, dead trees combine to create devastating wildfires in recent years. Eliminating the unnecessary administrative need for a timber sale will reduce our wildfire risk and protect the communities we represent.”

“Oregon’s electric co-ops strongly support this much needed bill,” said Ted Case, the Executive Director of the Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which represents 18 rural utilities in Oregon. “This legislation will reduce fuels in our forests and protect rural communities. We commend the sponsors for their commitment to reducing the threat of western wildfires.”

Currently, the Forest Service requires utility companies to keep trees and branches away from power lines on federal land. However, fallen or dead trees cannot be cleared without a timber sale, creating an administrative step that can slow the clearing of hazardous fuel and potential triggers for wildfires on federal land.

The Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act would allow the Forest Service to provide standing permission for electrical utilities to cut and remove hazardous trees near power lines without requiring a timber sale.