Bill Text: HI HB592 | 2021 | Regular Session | Amended


Bill Title: Relating To Utilities.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-02-19 - Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Har, Kong, Matayoshi excused (3). [HB592 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2021-HB592-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

592

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO UTILITIES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  (a)  The public utilities commission shall explore, through its docket process, solutions to the problems posed by siting of above-ground electrical infrastructure in high-risk areas, including undergrounding and non-wires alternatives.  The assessment shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  The costs that possible solutions will incur and the potential rate and bill impact for customers on the island of Maui;

     (2)  The risk of damage to the above-ground lines from reasonably foreseeable high winds, wildfires, or other natural adverse events that have historically occurred;

     (3)  The risk of damage to the above-ground and underground lines from projected sea level rise in the area where lines are located; and

     (4)  The risk posed to the surrounding area from damage to the above-ground lines, including but not limited to:

          (A)  The potential for igniting wildfires; and

          (B)  Road closures, especially roads that provide access to critical infrastructure, such as hospitals.

     (b)  The public utilities commission shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2022.  If relocating above-ground electric transmission lines and distribution lines underground in high risk areas on the island of Maui is deemed feasible, the public utilities commission shall include proposed plans and associated deadlines for this relocation in its report to the legislature.

     (c)  For purposes of this section, "high risk areas" includes areas susceptible to frequent high winds and wildfires or areas considered to be sea level rise exposure areas.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Electrical Transmission Lines; Public Utilities Commission; Docket

 

Description:

Requires the public utilities commission to explore, through its docket process, solutions to the problems posed by siting of above-ground electrical infrastructure in high-risk areas.  Requires the public utilities commission to submit a report to the legislature prior to the regular session of 2022.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (HD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

 

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