Whack-and-Stack: The Unintended and Unregulated Side Effects of Utility Wildfire Mitigation Activities in California

April 2023

Presenter, Practising Law Institute- On Demand Studio Briefings

Downey Brand partner Megan Somogyi presented in a recorded hour-long webinar as part of the Practising Law Institute’s Studio Briefings on-demand, CLE roundtable series. Alongside, Justin Graham (County of Santa Cruz) and John Kennedy (Rural County of Representatives of California), the presentation, entitled “Whack-and-Stack: The Unintended and Unregulated Side Effects of Utility Wildfire Mitigation Activities in California,” focuses on the significant impacts created by large-scale utility tree-trimming and cutting as part of the utilities’ wildfire prevention and response activities in California, and the shortcomings of existing laws and regulations to address the problem. The speakers discuss existing laws, the gaps and gray areas that allow the utilities to continue their tree-clearing, and the challenges faced by local governments, regulatory agencies, and the Legislature in trying to change the laws and the utilities’ behavior. This program is intended for attorneys working in Real Estate and Environmental industries.

To register for this program and for more information, please visit the program webpage.