81R11354 TRH-D
By: Coleman H.B. No. 3381
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of the maintenance of telephone and
electric utility poles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Title 5, Utilities Code, is amended by adding
Chapter 252 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 252. UTILITY POLE SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE
Sec. 252.001. MAINTENANCE OF UTILITY POLES. (a) An
electric utility or telecommunications utility shall inspect:
(1) each wooden transmission pole in the utility's
service area for damage every two years;
(2) each wooden distribution pole in the utility's
service area for damage every eight years; and
(3) transmission circuits each year.
(b) On discovery of a damaged transmission or distribution
pole, an electric utility or telecommunications utility shall
replace the damaged pole with a metal pole.
(c) An electric utility or telecommunications utility shall
ensure that each utility pole located near a critical structure is a
metal pole.
(d) An electric utility or telecommunications utility shall
perform:
(1) an annual visual inspection of the utility's
transmission system;
(2) an annual infrared scan of the utility's
transmission system;
(3) an annual inspection of each distribution circuit;
and
(4) every five years, an inspection of the utility's
distribution system.
(e) An electric utility or telecommunications utility shall
establish a vegetation management cycle for the clearing of trees,
tree limbs, and other vegetative growth from utility line easements
and utility structures:
(1) annually, for vegetative growth located near a
transmission circuit; and
(2) every three years, for vegetative growth located
near a distribution line.
(f) The commission shall adopt rules to enforce this
section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.