Phase 2 of the program expands the availability of no-cost wildfire risk management to utilities nationwide
October 14, 2026
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WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity (OE), and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) opened applications for Phase 2 of the Wildfire Insights and Support for Electric (WISE) Utilities program. The program addresses foundational challenges and barriers that utilities face in starting or enhancing their wildfire mitigation programs.
“A wildfire can spread in minutes, but protecting a community starts long before the first flame,” said Katie Jereza, Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity. “We're giving utilities the tools and expertise to spot vulnerabilities, take action before disaster strikes, and reduce the risk of costly power disruptions. That's how we turn preparation into stronger, safer communities.”
OE and PNNL pioneered the multi-year technical assistance program to provide electric utilities with no-cost data-driven tools and analytics for reducing risk and enhancing resilience against growing wildfire threats. Phase 2 of WISE will support utilities across the wildfire management lifecycle, including prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
“Many utilities are struggling to keep pace with the shifting wildfire paradigm of their respective regions,” said Dr. André Coleman, who leads the WISE program at PNNL. “This program offers much needed federal support for resource-constrained utilities to understand and address their localized risks.”
Applications for Phase 2 of WISE close Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET. To learn more about the program, eligibility requirements, and selection process, register for the informational webinar on October 14, 2026, at 1 p.m., ET.
Phase 2 assistance for selected utilities is set to begin in January 2027, following WISE engagement assistance with the Phase 1 cohort of eight utilities, including rural cooperatives, public utility districts, and municipalities.
For more information, please visit https://www.pnnl.gov/projects/wildfire-risk-resilience/technical-assistance-and-support-utilities or email wildfire@pnnl.gov.