Xcel Energy Releases Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Southwestern Public Service Company a subsidiary of XcelEnergy, filed a Wildfire Mitigation Plan with the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The plan outlines specific actions, technologies and operational practices Xcel Energy uses to reduce wildfire risk, enhance public safety and strengthen grid resilience across its Texas service area.
Proposed plan components include: Weather stations that track localized conditions contributing to wildfire risk, AI-enabled wildfire detection cameras that help identify and verify potential fire activity, Drone-based inspections and field technologies that improve equipment visibility and system performance, Increased inspections, equipment repairs and vegetation management in elevated wildfire risk areas and Transmission and distribution upgrades, including line rebuilds, conductor replacements, pole replacements, equipment upgrades and targeted undergrounding.