REPORT TITLE:
Utility Lines


DESCRIPTION:
Establishes state policy regarding the placement of utility lines
that places a high value on the aesthetic benefit of the natural
landscape in residential and conservation zoned areas.  Requires
PUC to consider the proximity of 138 kilovolt or greater above-
ground systems to culturally significant sites.  (SD1) 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        2279
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           S.D. 1
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO UTILITY LINES. 


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

 1      SECTION 1.  Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended
 
 2 by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to
 
 3 read as follows:
 
 4      "§269-    Value of benefits.  It is the policy of the State
 
 5 with regard to the placement of utility lines to place a high
 
 6 value on the aesthetic benefit of the natural landscape in
 
 7 residential and conservation zoned districts."
 
 8      SECTION 2.  Section 269-27.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
 
 9 amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
 
10      "(b)  In making the determination set forth in subsection
 
11 (a), for new 138 kilovolt or greater high-voltage transmission
 
12 systems, the public utilities commission shall evaluate and make
 
13 specific findings on all of the following factors:
 
14      (1)  The amortized cost of construction over the respective
 
15           usable life of an above-ground versus underground
 
16           system;
 
17      (2)  The amortized cost of repair over the respective usable
 
18           life of an above-ground versus underground system;
 
19      (3)  The risk of damage or destruction over the respective
 

 
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 1           usable life of an above-ground versus an underground
 
 2           system;
 
 3      (4)  The relative safety and liability risks of an above-
 
 4           ground versus underground system;
 
 5      (5)  The electromagnetic field emission exposure from an
 
 6           above-ground versus underground system;
 
 7      (6)  The proximity and visibility of an above-ground system
 
 8           to:
 
 9           (A)  High density population areas;
 
10           (B)  Conservation and other valuable natural resource
 
11                and public recreation areas;
 
12           (C)  Areas of special importance to the tourism
 
13                industry; [and]
 
14           (D)  Other industries particularly dependent on
 
15                Hawaii's natural beauty; and
 
16           (E)  Culturally significant areas, including burial
 
17                sites;
 
18      (7)  The length of the system;
 
19      (8)  The breadth and depth of public sentiment with respect
 
20           to an above-ground versus underground system; and
 
21      (9)  Any other factors that the public utilities commission
 
22           deems relevant."
 
23      SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be deleted is bracketed.
 

 
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                                     S.B. NO.           S.D. 1
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1 New statutory material is underscored.
 
 2      SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.