An Act Concerning Emergency Response Planning And Video Service Wire Removal.
This legislation, effective from July 1, 2021, establishes a formal process that electric distribution companies must follow concerning the emergency deployment of resources. It outlines the composition of 'make-safe crews' tasked with ensuring public safety by addressing hazardous downed wires and emphasizes the need for precise communication with local governments during emergencies to maintain public safety and order. The bill's provisions could significantly streamline response efforts, improve coordination among various stakeholders, and ultimately facilitate quicker restoration of services following disasters.
SB00937, known as the Act Concerning Emergency Response Planning and Video Service Wire Removal, aims to enhance the state's emergency response capabilities in the wake of power outages, particularly after severe weather events. The bill mandates that electric distribution companies develop well-structured emergency response plans that include the rapid increase of workforce to manage grid restoration after significant incidents, such as hurricanes. Specifically, these plans are required to demonstrate readiness to scale operations by 500% during emergencies and provide timely updates to municipalities about service outages and restoration timelines.
While the bill seeks to enhance safety and efficiency for power restoration processes, it has sparked discussions around the oversight of utility practices. Critics argue that the mandate for utility companies to remove video service wires promptly post-termination of service may present operational challenges and could lead to enforcement issues. Additionally, as utilities implement these plans, concerns about the adequacy of resources and response speed in underserved or rural areas have been raised, suggesting that equitable service across different communities remains a point of contention.