Bill > S1614

Introduced Session

This bill requires the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to adopt standards providing that, in operating areas that have been affected by a major catastrophic event, every electric distribution line of an electric public utility installed after the effective date of the bill, or installed, reinstalled, or repaired in response to damage resulting from a major catastrophic event, is to be located underground, wherever feasible, as determined by the BPU. In adopting the standards, and in the issuance of orders pursuant to the adoption of the standards, the BPU is to consider applicable industry codes, national electric industry practices, sound engineering judgment, and the ability of an electric public utility to obtain necessary municipal consent, easements, environmental permits, and rights of way. A "major catastrophic event" is defined to mean a natural occurrence arising from conditions beyond the control of the electric public utility, including but not limited to, a thunderstorm, tornado, hurricane, flood, heat wave, snowstorm, ice storm, or earthquake which results in: 1) a sustained interruption of electric, water, or gas utility service to at least 10 percent of the customers in an operating area or 10 percent of the customers of a municipality or county located in an operating area; or 2) the declaration of a state of emergency or disaster by the State or by the federal government.

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Jim Holzapfel (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 02/13/2020)