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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20190&cosponId=29865
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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: June 20, 2019 08:07 AM
From: Representative Gerald J. Mullery
To: All House members
Subject: Overhead Utility Pole Repair Act
 
Overhead utility lines can be found in just about every community across Pennsylvania, supplying electricity, cable television and internet to our homes. When a utility pole is damaged, we must ensure it is fixed promptly and safely to avoid a possible public safety hazard. Also, we want to ensure there is limited service interruptions for our families and neighbors.

Unfortunately, when a utility pole is damaged, more often the pole is not being replaced. Instead, the old damaged pole is cut off and the remaining portion of the pole, where the lines are connected, is attached to a new utility pole. A damaged section of a pole, connected by a board, then bolted to another pole should not be an acceptable repair. Severe weather can occur year-round, as we have seen the past couple of years. This practice creates a potential safety hazard to our communities.

To help alleviate this problem, my legislation amends Title 66 (Public Utilities) to require a public utility, once notified by a municipality, to repair a damaged utility pole within 30 days. The utility pole must be replaced or repaired to new condition. If the damaged pole cannot be repaired, it must be replaced entirely. Thus, eliminating the practice of connecting only portions of a utility pole to one secured in the ground.

I ask that you support this legislation and join me in helping Pennsylvania communities prevent potential public safety hazards and loss of services by ensuring utility pole repairs are done to the highest standard.



Introduced as HB2085