BILL NUMBER: S1384

SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act mandating that the public service commission examine a process
for streamlining actions relating to identifying and removing certain
utility poles

 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

The purpose of this bill is to require every electric and telecommuni-
cations corporation and association to remove dangerous double poles no
longer in use.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill requires the public service commission to require
every electric and telecommunications corporation and association to
submit their reports pursuant to a public service commission proceeding
to evaluate a standardized facility and equipment transfer program with-
in ninety days of the effective date of this act. The commission shall
              

establish such program on or before June 1, 2022.

Section 2 is the effective date

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Aging or damaged telephone and electric poles pose a threat to public
and utility worker safety and must be replaced. When wiring is trans-
ferred to new poles the old telephone or electric pole must be removed
to protect public and worker safety. When the old telephone or electric
pole is not removed, it creates an unsafe and unsightly "double" pole
condition. Currently, there are many thousands of aging "double" tele-
phone and electric poles littering the state. Many double telephone and
electric poles have been in place for years despite complaints by muni-
cipalities, residents and the telephone workers union. Double poles are
found on both public and private property.

The PSC commenced a proceeding on double poles in June of 2008 (Case
08-M0593.) The PSC proceeding initiated on double pole conditions has
not produced either a remedy or an inventory of double pole conditions.
As the Public Service Commission's proceeding has continued, many more
double poles have been created throughout the State and the telephone
corporations and electric companies subject to this bill have failed to
remove the old poles.

Aging and damaged utility poles are at risk of topping over or failing.
Utility workers are unable to safely climb double poles therefore
network operations are impaired. Property values are impaired by double
poles. Telephone and electric poles, are also filled with wood preserva-
tives that may leach into the ground, potentially damaging environmental
quality and public health. These telephone corporations and electric
corporations should not be allowed to create these unsafe and unsightly
conditions. The public service commission should establish the program
it proposed in the proceeding.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2022: S7448A- passed assembly, died in senate

2019-20: A3332 referred to corporations, authorities and commissions;

2017-18: A10281A passed assembly;

2015-16: A1140 referred to corporations, authorities and commissions;

2013-14: A8762 referred to corporations, authorities and commissions;
same as 51537 (Perkins) referred to energy;

2011-12: A6181-A (Hoyt) referred to corporations, authorities and
commissions; same as S1777-A referred to energy;

2010-11 A.10577 (Hoyt) - referred to corporations, authorities and
commissions; same as S7469 (Perkins) referred to energy

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.