Sec. 1. 38 MRSA §487-A, sub-§4 as affected by PL 1989, c. 890, Pt. A, §40 and amended by Pt. B, §96, is further amended to read:

4. Notice to landowners; transmission line or gas pipeline. Any person making application under this article, for approval for a transmission line or gas pipeline shall, prior to filing a notification pursuant to this article, provide notice to each owner of real property upon whose land the applicant proposes to locate a gas pipeline or transmission line. Notice must be sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, to the landowner's last known address contained in the applicable tax assessor's records. The applicant shall file a map with the town clerk of each municipality through which the pipeline or transmission line is proposed to be located, indicating the intended approximate location of the pipeline or transmission line within the municipality. The applicant is not required to provide notice of intent to construct a gas pipeline or transmission line other than as set forth in this subsection. The department shall receive evidence regarding the location, character and impact on the environment of the proposed transmission line or pipeline. In addition to finding that the requirements of section 484 have been met, the department, in the case of the transmission line or pipeline, shall consider whether any proposed alternatives to the proposed location and character of the transmission line or pipeline may lessen its impact on the environment or the risks it would engender to the public health or safety, without unreasonably increasing its cost. In addition to finding that the requirements of section 484 have been met, the department, in the case of the transmission towers associated with a transmission line, shall consider the visual impact on view corridors and the aesthetic impact of the towers in the context of existing uses. The department may approve or disapprove all or portions of the proposed transmission line and its associated transmission towers or pipeline and shall make such orders regarding its location, character, width and appearance as will lessen its impact on the environment, having regard for any increased costs to the applicant.

SUMMARY

This bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to consider, in the context of reviewing an application for a site location of development permit, the visual impact associated with the construction of electric transmission line towers.