REPORT TITLE:
PUC; Conversion Program


DESCRIPTION:
Requires the PUC to establish a program allowing for the
systematic conversion of overhead utility lines to underground
utility lines.  Authorizes the counties to establish underground
zones. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                        
THE SENATE                              S.B. NO.           2286
TWENTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2000                                
STATE OF HAWAII                                            
                                                             
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                   A  BILL  FOR  AN  ACT

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION. 


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-     Conversion program.  The commission shall
 
 5 establish a conversion program that allows for the systematic
 
 6 conversion of overhead utility lines to underground lines.  The
 
 7 conversion program shall:
 
 8      (1)  Authorize each county to determine underground zones by
 
 9           ordinance;
 
10      (2)  Require any utility that transports or distributes
 
11           services across utility lines and cable to contribute
 
12           to the funding of the program; provided that annual
 
13           contributions from the utilities shall not exceed two
 
14           per cent of annual gross revenues; and
 
15      (3)  Establish criteria that allocates funding to each
 
16           county for its underground conversion zones.
 
17      The commission shall adopt rules according to chapter 91 for
 
18 the implementation of and to establish standards for the
 
19 conversion program."
 

 
Page 2                                                     
                                     S.B. NO.           2286
                                                        
                                                        

 
 1      SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.
 
 2      SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
 
 3 
 
 4                           INTRODUCED BY:  _______________________