San Diego CA— San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) newest wildfire-fighting partners, approximately 220 goats, are taking a bite out of potential wildfire ignition sources and carbon emissions. Last week, the Company initiated its Goat Grazing pilot program, a vegetation measure that utilizes goats to clear brush and other vegetation-ignition sources around electric infrastructure. The program, a first of its kind for the utility, is designed to help keep communities safe from potential utility-related wildfires.
“This is the first SDG&E program to explore an alternative concept to reduce flammable fuels within open space transmission corridors,” said SDG&E Landscape Project Manager Bill Click. “The pilot program will be in effect at various locations within the SDG&E service territory this year. Once the evaluation process is completed, an informed decision can be made to further implement prescribed grazing.”
Some of the environmental benefits of goat grazing include keeping corridors open, preventing the spread of noxious weeds, and promoting the growth of local vegetative species through moderate grazing.
The initial grazing area is within SDG&E-owned transmission corridor property in Chula Vista, while other company locations are being considered as well. The goat herd and the staffing have been secured through a contract with San Diego County based environmental land management company for the duration of the pilot program.
SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe, and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing around 45 percent of its electricity from renewable sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region’s infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE), and Facebook.