Bill > S835

Introduced Session

This bill requires an electric public utility (utility) to submit to the Board of Public Utilities (board) a plan for the utility's response to a major emergency event, which shall require the utility to: 1) properly train each municipal emergency management coordinator (coordinator) and any public works employee, or other employee of a municipality designated by the governing body of a municipality located within the utility's operating area to receive the necessary certification under any applicable industry code or national electric industry practice, to move a disconnected, above-ground distribution line impeding vehicular traffic and protect the line from doing harm to life or property, and to provide those municipal employees with any necessary equipment to move and protect the distribution line and communicate on a real-time, two-way basis, with the utility, until a utility employee reattaches the distribution line; 2) indemnify, and if requested by the municipality, defend the municipality and those designated municipal employees against all claims made by any person for injuries or damages that may be caused or sustained by those designated municipal employees during the course or as a result of moving a disconnected, above-ground distribution line impeding vehicular traffic and protecting the line from doing harm to life or property; and 3) reimburse a municipality, as applicable, at a rate of no less than half of those designated municipal employees' hourly wage rate, or the cost of the provision of services by any employee who is a volunteer equal to the rate for volunteer services under any applicable assistance program administered by the federal government, for the amount of time spent by the those designated municipal employees in moving and protecting the distribution line. The bill requires any plan submitted by a utility to be subject to board review and approval. In the event that the board disapproves a plan, the board shall provide the utility, in writing, its reasons for disapproval. If the board fails to approve or disapprove of the plan within 60 days of receipt of the plan, it shall be considered approved by the board. Each utility shall file a copy of an approved plan with the board.

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Tony Bucco (R)*, 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Economic Growth Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document