Idaho Utilities Commission Opens Public Comment Period on Northern Lights Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Bonner County residents and others served by Northern Lights Inc. have until June 10 to weigh in on the Sagle-based electric cooperative’s proposed wildfire mitigation plan, which is currently under review by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission.
Northern Lights, a nonprofit power provider headquartered in Sagle, has submitted a 2026–2028 wildfire mitigation plan to state regulators outlining steps the utility intends to take to reduce fire risk across its service territory. The company serves customers in Bonner and Kootenai counties in Idaho, Pend Oreille County in Washington, and Lincoln and Sanders counties in Montana.
What the Plan Covers
According to the IPUC, the submitted plan addresses the specific characteristics of Northern Lights’ service area, including terrain, weather patterns, infrastructure, grid layout, and zones with elevated wildfire exposure. The plan also outlines how the utility manages its transmission and distribution equipment and handles vegetation around power lines — a key factor in wildfire ignition.
The review process stems from the Wildfire Standard of Care Act, which the Idaho Legislature passed in 2025. Under that law, investor-owned utilities must submit wildfire mitigation plans to the commission for approval. The legislation provides an important legal protection: if a wildfire sparks a lawsuit against a utility, that utility is presumed to have acted without negligence — provided it had a commission-approved mitigation plan in place and followed it.
While municipal and cooperative electric utilities are not required to submit plans under the act, they may do so voluntarily. Northern Lights has opted to seek commission review, giving the cooperative access to that same legal presumption.
This kind of wildfire planning is increasingly important across North Idaho’s forested landscapes, where dry summers and dense timber create persistent fire risk. For related coverage of environmental concerns in the region, see our earlier report on protecting the Kootenai River from mountaintop removal coal mining.
How to Submit Comments
The public comment window closes Wednesday, June 10. Residents who wish to weigh in are encouraged to use the IPUC’s online comment form at puc.idaho.gov by clicking the “Case Comment Form” link. All submissions must reference Case No. C10-E-26-01.
Comments can also be submitted by email to the IPUC’s designated addresses or by standard mail. Written comments sent by mail should be directed to three parties: the IPUC commission secretary at P.O. Box 83720, Boise, ID 83702-0074; Kristin Burge at Northern Lights, P.O. Box 269, Sagle, ID 83860; and attorney Susan P. Weeks of James, Vernon and Weeks P.A. at 1626 Lincoln Way, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. All mailed or emailed submissions must include the sender’s full name, mailing address, and the case number.
For individuals without computer access, alternative submission options may be available through the commission directly. Full case details are posted at puc.idaho.gov/case/Details/7702.
What Comes Next
Once the public comment period closes on June 10, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission will review all submissions before making a determination on whether to approve Northern Lights’ wildfire mitigation plan. Approval would allow the utility to move forward with implementing the plan’s provisions across its multi-state service area and would establish the legal protections provided under the 2025 Wildfire Standard of Care Act. Residents with questions about the process or the utility’s application are encouraged to visit the IPUC website or contact the commission directly.