HB 9B

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to electric utility transmission; creating
3the Electric Utility Task Force; providing duties and
4membership of the task force; requiring that the task
5force submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature;
6providing that the task force be dissolved on a specified
7date; providing an effective date.
8
9Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
10
11     Section 1.  Electric Utility Task Force.--
12     (1)  The Electric Utility Task Force is established for the
13purpose of evaluating the current electric utility transmission
14system, determining the feasibility of upgrading and protecting
15the current electric transmission system, evaluating the current
16and future anticipated needs caused by an increased population
17and changing climate conditions, analyzing electrical
18transformers and the best methods by which to protect them,
19determining the cost-effectiveness of requiring underground
20installation of electric utility distribution and transmission
21facilities for all new construction, and determining the cost of
22converting overhead electric distribution and transmission
23facilities to underground distribution and transmission
24facilities when these facilities are replaced or relocated.
25     (2)(a)  The task force shall consist of nine members. The
26members may include, but are not limited to, representatives
27from power utility companies, electrical contractors, scientists
28who specialize in the transmission of power, engineers, and
29consumer representatives. Three persons shall be appointed by
30the Governor, three persons shall be appointed by the President
31of the Senate, and three persons shall be appointed by the
32Speaker of the House of Representatives. The members of the task
33force shall appoint a chairperson.
34     (b)  Each member appointed to the task force shall serve at
35the pleasure of the appointing official. Any vacancy on the task
36force shall be filled in the same manner as the original
37appointment. Any task force member may, upon notification to the
38chairperson before the beginning of any scheduled meeting,
39appoint an alternate to represent the member on the task force
40and vote on task force business in his or her absence.
41     (c)  Each member of the task force is entitled to receive
42per diem and travel expenses as provided under s. 112.061,
43Florida Statutes.
44     (d)  All meetings and proceedings of the task force shall
45be staffed by the Public Service Commission and are subject to
46ss. 119.07 and 286.011, Florida Statutes.
47     (3)  The task force shall:
48     (a)  Evaluate and analyze current electric utility
49transmission systems and determine whether the utility equipment
50being used is appropriate for use in this state.
51     (b)  Consider the feasibility and costs of continuing
52maintenance, upgrading, and protecting the current electric
53utility transmission system.
54     (c)  Determine whether the current electric utility
55transmission system can be improved to withstand the severe
56natural forces that buffet the state.
57     (d)  Evaluate the current and future anticipated needs
58caused by an increased population and changing climate
59conditions.
60     (e)  Analyze electrical transformers and the best methods
61by which to protect them.
62     (f)  Evaluate the current electrical needs of facilities
63providing critical services, such as nursing homes and assisted
64living facilities, and determine whether on-site emergency
65systems should be required for these facilities.
66     (g)  Determine the cost-effectiveness of requiring that
67electric utility distribution and transmission facilities be
68installed underground for all new construction and the cost-
69effectiveness of converting overhead distribution and
70transmission facilities to underground distribution and
71transmission facilities when these facilities are replaced or
72relocated. When considering the practical feasibility of
73underground electric utility transmission systems, the task
74force shall:
75     1.  Consider the cost of placing some or all electric
76utility transmission systems underground.
77     2.  Determine the advantages to the public and to utility
78company employees which are expected, including, but not limited
79to, the expected reduction in accidental electrocutions,
80temporary and permanent disabilities, and vehicular accidents
81involving distribution and transmission facilities, and the
82expected reduction in the ascertainable and measurable costs of
83adverse health effects.
84     3.  Determine the cost differential between underground
85transmission systems and overhead electric utility systems for
86right-of-way acquisition, tree-trimming requirements, and
87repairs arising from storm damage.
88     4.  Estimate the loss incurred by the private and public
89sectors as a result of electric outages due to storm damage.
90     (4)  The task force shall present a report of its findings
91and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the
92Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on
93September 1, 2006. The task force is dissolved after submitting
94its report.
95     Section 2.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.