Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | October 4, 2016 12:59 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Jim Cox |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Increased Transparency for Utilities in Our Communities |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that will increase transparency and require input from local residents and their local officials when utilities are considering erecting a transmission line through a municipality or municipalities. Utilities work diligently to find the best possible option when locating a transmission line in order to meet the needs of their customers. However, there are often local ramifications that the utility may not have full knowledge of when making their plans. This has been evidenced by a proposed transmission line in one of the communities I represent and has outraged the local community as well as hampered major economic development efforts. My goal is to provide a balanced approach to addressing the needs of the utility while taking into account the concerns and needs of the municipality and its residents. Understanding that the municipality has a much greater knowledge of how their community would be affected, it would be beneficial to require their input in the planning stages of such a project. The legislation would amend Title 66 to provide for local input and greater local control by requiring a utility to obtain the approval of municipality’s governing body before constructing a transmission line and by requiring the Public Utility Commission to hold a public hearing, allowing for public comment, in the municipality where the transmission line is proposed. (Currently, a transmission line project of under 100 kilovolts does not require approval from the PUC.) Please join me in providing these additional protections for our constituents. . |