Congressman David Valadao of California’s 22nd district has announced the passage of the bipartisan Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, re-introduced by Valadao along with Reps. Salud Carbajal, Jim Costa, and Brian Fitzpatrick, aims to allow the U.S. Forest Service to remove hazardous trees near power lines on federal forest lands without requiring a timber sale. This change addresses a significant threat that has contributed to destructive wildfires in previous years.
“California is no stranger to destructive wildfires, and in the Central Valley, we live with the consequences,” said Congressman Valadao. He emphasized the impact of bureaucratic hurdles on forest management and air quality in the Valley, expressing relief at this step toward reducing wildfire risk.
Rep. Carbajal noted the need for solutions that balance sustainable forest management with reducing wildfire risks: “My bipartisan bill strives to find this balance and is a common sense solution to protect our communities.”
Rep. Costa highlighted that as communities recover from past wildfires, passing this act is a proactive measure against future disasters: “This legislation will cut red tape, streamline the removal of hazardous vegetation near power lines, and strengthen our infrastructure.”
Rep. Fitzpatrick added his perspective as Co-Chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus: “The House’s bipartisan passage of the Fire Safe Electrical Corridors Act is a meaningful step forward—cutting through red tape to allow for the safe removal of hazardous vegetation near power lines on federal lands.”
The current requirements mandate utility companies to maintain clearances around power lines on federal lands but necessitate a timber sale for removing fallen or dead trees—a process that can delay clearing potential wildfire triggers.
This bill was adopted as an amendment to the Fix Our Forests Act and was first introduced in 2023 by Congressmen Valadao, Carbajal, and Costa. It received unanimous approval from the House Natural Resources Committee in September 2024. Senators Alex Padilla and Steve Daines have led a companion bill in the Senate.
