An Act To Authorize the Public Utilities Commission To Require That Transmission or Distribution Lines Be Placed Underground

Sec. 1. 35-A MRSA §3132-A  is enacted to read:

§ 3132-A.  Placement of lines underground

Upon petition by a customer of a transmission and distribution utility, the commission shall open a proceeding to determine whether to order a transmission or distribution line to be placed underground. The commission shall order that a transmission or distribution line be placed underground if the commission finds that the public health, safety or welfare would be enhanced by such placement. The commission must allow a transmission and distribution utility to recover the actual costs of complying with the commission’s order to place a line underground.

summary

This bill requires the Public Utilities Commission, on petition of a customer of a transmission and distribution utility, to open a proceeding to determine whether to order a transmission or distribution line to be placed underground. The commission must order that a transmission or distribution line be placed underground if the commission finds that the public health, safety or welfare would be enhanced by such placement. The commission is required to allow a transmission and distribution utility to recover the actual costs of complying with the commission’s order to place a line underground.