Report Title:

Public Utilities; Leeward Coast

Description:

Requires public utilities with overhead lines on the island of Oahu to convert at least 10 miles of overhead lines to underground utilities per year, beginning in the Nanakuli-Waianae area.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	3441
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 269, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§269-    Undergrounding of public utility lines; island of Oahu. (a)  Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, beginning January 1, 2009, each public utility that has overhead lines above residential, commercial, or industrial areas on the island of Oahu shall convert at least ten miles of overhead lines to underground each year; provided that public utilities having overhead lines in the same geographic area shall coordinate the conversion of these lines from overhead to underground to maximize cost-effectiveness and efficiency and minimize adverse ratepayer impact.

(b)  Each public utility that has overhead lines on the island of Oahu shall report its conversion plan under this section to the public utilities commission no later than January 1 of each year.

(c)  Each public utility that has overhead lines on the island of Oahu shall begin its conversion to underground lines on the west side of the island, from Nanakuli to Waianae, and continue the conversion for the rest of the island."

     SECTION 2.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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