DOE, PNNL open wildfire assistance applications for utilities nationwide

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DOE, PNNL wildfire aid for utilities

Highlights

DOE and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory opened nationwide applications for Phase 2 of the WISE program, with applications due November 10, 2026 and assistance beginning January 2027.
Phase 2 of WISE offers no-cost, data-driven tools and analytics to help utilities manage wildfire risks across prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery stages.
DOE's initiative targets utilities facing resource constraints, aiming to reduce power disruption risks and improve grid reliability through early vulnerability detection and pre-emptive action.

Application window and program scope

As reported by Department of Energy, the Office of Electricity and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have opened applications for Phase 2 of the Wildfire Insights and Support for Electric Utilities, or WISE, program. The initiative is designed to help utilities address core obstacles in launching or improving wildfire mitigation efforts through no-cost, data-driven tools and analytics.

Phase 2 supports utilities across the wildfire management cycle, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. Applications close on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET, and assistance for selected utilities is set to start in January 2027.

Support for resource-constrained utilities

Katie Jereza, assistant secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Electricity, says the program aims to help utilities identify vulnerabilities early, act before disasters escalate and reduce the risk of expensive power disruptions. The department frames that work as part of a broader push to strengthen community safety and grid reliability before fires ignite.

PNNL's WISE program lead, Dr. André Coleman, says many utilities are struggling to keep pace with changing wildfire conditions in their regions. The latest phase follows engagement with a first cohort of eight utilities, including rural cooperatives, public utility districts and municipalities.

Our earlier coverage on affordability pressures in U.S. public finance explained how rising living costs are tightening credit conditions for states, local governments, and utility sectors such as not-for-profit public power and electric cooperatives. We noted that resistance to levy increases and limited ability to raise user fees are constraining revenues while spending needs keep growing, increasing budget and credit risks for resource-constrained providers.

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