Report Title:

Public Utilities; 138KV Utility Lines

Description:

Declares a 5-year moratorium on construction of new overhead 138 kilovolt utility lines on Oahu. Establishes an advisory committee appointed by the governor to develop a comprehensive statewide utility line undergrounding plan and report to the legislature before the 2006 regular session.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1399

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to utility lines.

 

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

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, upon the effective date of this Act and for five years thereafter, there is established a moratorium on the construction of any new overhead one hundred thirty-eight kilovolt utility lines on the island of Oahu. The moratorium shall not apply to the repair, maintenance, or replacement of any existing one hundred thirty-eight kilovolt utility lines.

SECTION 2. (a) There is created within the office of the governor for administrative purposes an underground utility line advisory committee. The committee shall develop a comprehensive statewide plan to place utility lines and facilities underground.

(b) The governor shall appoint the members of the underground utility line advisory committee in consultation with the department of land and natural resources and the department of business, economic development, and tourism. The advisory committee shall include representatives of the utilities, nonprofit entities, community groups, the public utilities commission, and the office of the consumer advocate.

(c) The underground utility line advisory committee shall be fully designated and constituted no later than thirty days after the effective date of this Act and shall convene on a regular basis. The advisory committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature not later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2006.

(d) The office of the governor and the department of land and natural resources shall provide administrative support upon request from the advisory committee.

(e) The advisory committee shall cease to exist on June 30, 2006.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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