PRINTER'S NO. 1795

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA


SENATE BILL

No. 1486 Session of 1991


        INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, DECEMBER 9, 1991

        REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
           DECEMBER 9, 1991

                                     AN ACT

     1  Amending Title 66 (Public Utilities) of the Pennsylvania
     2     Consolidated Statutes, providing for construction of sewer or
     3     water system extensions.

     4     The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     5  hereby enacts as follows:
     6     Section 1.  Title 66 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
     7  Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:
     8  § 1512.  Construction of sewer or water system extensions.
     9     (a)  General rule.--Except as otherwise provided in
    10  subsection (g), where a sewer or water system is to be extended
    11  at the expense of the owner or owners of properties or where the
    12  public utility otherwise would construct the line extensions or
    13  connections, (other than water meter installation), the property
    14  owner or owners shall have the right to construct the extension
    15  or install the connection himself or themselves or through a
    16  subcontractor approved by the public utility, which approval
    17  shall not be unreasonably withheld.
    18     (b)  Estimate of costs.--Cost estimate proposals provided by

     1  a contractor or subcontractor shall include the cost of any
     2  extension of service lines from the main to the curb and the
     3  cost of all materials.
     4     (c)  Construction specifications.--Construction by the
     5  property owner or owners shall be in accordance with an
     6  agreement for the extension of the public utility's system and
     7  in compliance with plans and specifications provided by or
     8  approved by the public utility and shall be undertaken only
     9  pursuant to the regulations, requirements, rules and standards
    10  of the public utility, applicable to the construction, which
    11  rules and regulations shall be consistent with this section. The
    12  construction shall be subject to inspection by an inspector
    13  employed by the public utility authorized to approve the
    14  construction.
    15     (d)  Limitation on construction.--A public utility may
    16  require the construction of only such facilities as may be
    17  necessary to supply service to the property owner or owners.
    18     (e)  Deposit for costs.--
    19         (1)  When a main is to be extended at the expense of the
    20     owner or owners of properties, the property owner or owners
    21     may be required to deposit with the public utility, in
    22     advance of construction, the public utility's estimated
    23     reasonable and necessary cost of reviewing plans,
    24     construction inspections and administrative, legal and
    25     engineering services.
    26         (2)  The public utility may prescribe that the property
    27     owner or owners shall reimburse the public utility for
    28     reasonable and necessary expenses incurred as a result of the
    29     extension.
    30     (f)  Dedication of facilities.--Upon completion of
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     1  construction, the property owner or owners shall dedicate, and
     2  the public utility shall accept, the extension of the public
     3  utility's system, provided dedication of facilities and the
     4  installation complies with the plans, specifications,
     5  regulations of the public utility and the agreement. A public
     6  utility may provide in its regulations for facilities
     7  constructed at the expense of the owner or owners of properties
     8  which the public utility will accept as a part of its system.
     9     (g)  Construction by public utility.--The public utility
    10  shall have the right, at its option, to perform the construction
    11  itself only if the public utility provides the extension or
    12  customer facilities at a lower cost and within the same time
    13  table specified or proposed by the property owner or owners or
    14  his or their approved subcontractor.
    15     Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.










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