REPORT TITLE:
Utility Transmission Lines


DESCRIPTION:
Authorizes the consumer advocate to apply for relief from the
public utilities commission when the environmental cost of a
proposed overhead power line is unreasonable based on factors set
forth in law.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           554
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 1999                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO UTILITY TRANSMISSION LINES. 


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

 1      SECTION 1.  Section 269-54, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
 
 2 amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:
 
 3      "(c)  Whenever it appears to the consumer advocate that: 
 
 4      (1)  [any] Any public utility has violated or failed to
 
 5           comply with any provision of this part or of any state
 
 6           or federal law; 
 
 7      (2)  [any] Any public utility has failed to comply with any
 
 8           rule, regulation, or other requirement of the public
 
 9           utilities commission or of any other state or federal
 
10           agency; 
 
11      (3)  [any] Any public utility has failed to comply with any
 
12           provision of its charter or franchise; 
 
13      (4)  [changes,] Changes, additions, extensions, or repairs
 
14           to the plant or service of any public utility are
 
15           necessary to meet the reasonable convenience or
 
16           necessity of the public; [or (5) the] 
 
17      (5)  The environmental cost of a proposed overhead power
 
18           line is unreasonable based on the factors outlined in
 
19           section 269-27.6; or
 

 
Page 2                                                     
                                     S.B. NO.           554
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1      (6)  The rates, fares, classifications, charges, or rules of
 
 2           any public utility are unreasonable or unreasonably
 
 3           discriminatory, 
 
 4 the consumer advocate may institute proceedings for appropriate
 
 5 relief before the public utilities commission.  The consumer
 
 6 advocate may appeal any final decision and order in any
 
 7 proceeding to which the consumer advocate is a party in the
 
 8 manner provided by law."
 
 9      SECTION 2.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed.
 
10 New statutory material is underscored.
 
11      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
12 
 
13                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________