summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Creates the Electric Transmission Facilities Siting Act. Defines terms. Requires that, in the siting of new electric transmission facilities, available corridors be used in the following order of priority: (1) existing public utility corridors; (2) highway corridors; and (3) new corridors. Provides that a public utility or developer may construct, place, or maintain a high-voltage electric service line on a public right-of-way or along a highway if (i) the public utility or developer submits a colocation request for the high-voltage electric service line to the Secretary of Transportation and (ii) the Secretary reviews and approves the colocation request. Provides that the Secretary may deny a colocation request if the Secretary determines that the construction, placement, or maintenance of a high-voltage electric service line on a public right-of-way or along a highway would endanger public safety or would interfere with the proper function of the highway. Provides that a public utility or developer may submit a written request to the Department of Transportation for an evaluation of certain corridors for possible locations for a high-voltage electric service line. Provides that, within 30 days after receipt of a written request, the Secretary shall assign a project coordinator to the request. Provides that a project coordinator, upon assignment to a request, shall begin the evaluation in coordination with the applicable public utility or developer. Requires a public utility or developer to develop a constructability report in consultation with the Department and requires the public utility or developer and the Department to follow the terms and conditions of the constructability report during the planning and approval process for the siting of a high-voltage electric service line. Sets forth requirements for the content of the constructability report. Provides that, if the Department requires that a high-voltage electric service line on a public right-of-way be relocated by a specific date, the Department shall give the applicable public utility or developer notice of the required relocation no less than 10 years before the date of the required relocation. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill, titled the Electric Transmission Facilities Siting Act, establishes a framework for approving the placement of new high-voltage electric service lines, which are defined as electric transmission lines operating at 100,000 volts or more. It prioritizes the use of existing corridors for these facilities, first considering public utility corridors, then highway corridors, and finally allowing for the creation of new corridors only if the others are not feasible. The bill allows public utilities or developers to place these lines along public rights-of-way or highways, but only after submitting a "colocation request" to the Secretary of Transportation, who can deny it if public safety is endangered or highway function is interfered with. Before construction, a developer must request an evaluation of potential corridors from the Department of Transportation, and if a location is found, a "constructability report" must be developed in consultation with the Department, outlining terms and conditions for the project, including a timeframe during which the Department cannot demand relocation. If the Department does require a relocation, they must provide at least 10 years' notice; otherwise, the Department may be responsible for a significant portion of the relocation costs.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Assigned to Energy and Public Utilities (on 02/03/2026)
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