Connecticut Senate Bill SB00259

Connecticut 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/21
• Refer: 1/22/21

Caption

An Act Concerning Annual Vegetation Maintenance Plans.

Impact

The introduction of this bill is expected to standardize the procedures through which electricity providers manage vegetation near their power lines. By placing this responsibility directly on the electric distribution companies, the bill intends to reduce the incidence of outages caused by fallen branches or other vegetative interference. Moreover, this initiative may encourage better planning and resource allocation by utility companies, aimed at addressing vegetation management consistently across their service areas.

Summary

SB00259, titled 'An Act Concerning Annual Vegetation Maintenance Plans,' mandates electric distribution companies to submit an annual vegetation maintenance plan to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) for approval. This requirement aims to ensure that vegetation near overhead power lines is managed appropriately to minimize safety hazards and maintain reliable electricity service. The bill reflects a proactive approach towards managing natural vegetation that can interfere with utility infrastructure, thereby enhancing public safety and service reliability.

Contention

While SB00259 is largely framed as a safety and operational efficiency measure, there may be concerns from various stakeholders regarding the implications of increased regulatory oversight. Some utility companies might argue that the administrative requirements imposed by submitting detailed vegetation maintenance plans could lead to increased operational costs and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Conversely, advocates for the bill assert that the benefits of preventing power outages and enhancing public safety far outweigh any potential administrative burdens posed on the utility companies.