House of Representatives

SB 1343

power line safety

Sponsors: Senator Spitzer

X	Committee on Government Operations
	Caucus and COW
	As Passed the House

SB 1343 revises requirements for work on overhead high voltage power lines.

History

Current statute requires any person who desires to work or operate closer than allowed in proximity to any high voltage overhead power line to promptly notify the public utility that operates the line. If the public utility and the person performing the work reach a satisfactory mutual agreement, including coordination of work and construction schedules, then work may commence. The agreement may include temporary deenergization and grounding or temporary relocation or raising of high voltage lines, with expenses paid by the party responsible for performing the work. Currently, there is a six feet minimum working clearance for persons and tools and ten feet for cranes and hoisting equipment.

Provisions

· Requires every person, firm or corporation to review with every person performing work dangerously close to high voltage lines the requirements of this article before the work may commence.

· Before work may commence, the owner or operator of the high voltage line must guard against danger by either deenergizing and grounding the line, relocate it or install protective covering or mechanical barriers.

· Requires all utilities to organize, participate as members in and cooperate with the Utilities Protection Center. Allows the One-call Notification Center to serve as the center, in lieu or creating a duplicative center. Requires all utilities to fund the activities of the center relating to high voltage lines.

· Requires the person performing the work to submit a 72 hour notice, excluding weekends and holidays, before the time scheduled for the beginning of the work The notice must:

1. Describe the tract or parcel of land where the work is to be done in order for the owner or operator of the high voltage line to ascertain the precise tract or parcel of land involved.

2. Contain the name, address and telephone number of the person in charge of the work.

3. Describe the type of work engaged in.

4. State the beginning and completion dates of the work.

· Requires the owner or operator of the high voltage overhead line to contact the person whose name is given within a reasonable time after the notice is submitted in order to make appropriate satisfactory agreements, including work schedule coordination and payment of costs. Agreements may include placement of temporary mechanical barriers to separate and prevent contact or deenergizing and grounding or temporarily relocating or raising the high voltage line.

· Requires the person responsible for the work to pay any actual expenses for clearances, except when lines are within ten feet of an existing fixture or structure that was in place before the line was installed. An agreement for payment must be made before the utility provides the arrangements for clearance.

· Requires the utility to begin construction for temporary clearances within five days after an agreement for payment is made.

· Requires the person responsible for the work to ensure the safety requirements of this bill are completed before the work commences.

· States that if a violation of this bill results in physical or electrical contact with any high voltage line, the person responsible for the work and who is in violation must pay damages to utilities and third persons, including costs of defending any claims.

· Requires utility companies, the Director of Occupational Safety and Health and the Registrar of Contractors to work together to prepare a pamphlet to help identify potential safety hazards associated with high voltage power lines.

· States that the pamphlet must include requirements of this bill and that the utility companies must provide the Registrar of Contractors enough of the pamphlets to distribute with each contractor’s license and license renewal.

· Provides a definitions section.

· Makes technical and conforming changes.

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· 44th Legislature Analyst Initials _______

· Second Regular Session March 8, 2000

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