Senate Bill sb0030B
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Florida Senate - 2005 SB 30-B
By Senator Klein
30-809-06
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to electric utility
3 transmission; creating the Utility Preparedness
4 Task Force; providing duties and membership of
5 the task force; requiring that the task force
6 submit a report to the Governor and the
7 Legislature; providing that the task force be
8 dissolved on a specified date; providing an
9 effective date.
10
11 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
12
13 Section 1. Utility Preparedness Task Force.--
14 (1) The Utility Preparedness Task Force is established
15 for the purpose of evaluating the current electric utility
16 transmission system, determining the feasibility of upgrading
17 and protecting the current electric and telecommunications
18 transmission systems, evaluating the current and future
19 anticipated needs caused by an increased population and
20 changing climate conditions, analyzing electrical transformers
21 and the best methods by which to protect them, determining the
22 cost-effectiveness of requiring underground installation of
23 electric utility distribution and transmission facilities for
24 all new construction, and determining the cost of converting
25 overhead electric distribution and transmission facilities to
26 underground distribution and transmission facilities when
27 these facilities are replaced or relocated.
28 (2)(a) The task force shall consist of nine members.
29 The members may include, but are not limited to,
30 representatives from power utility companies,
31 telecommunications companies, electrical contractors,
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Florida Senate - 2005 SB 30-B
30-809-06
1 scientists who specialize in the transmission of power,
2 engineers, and consumer representatives. Three persons shall
3 be appointed by the Governor, three persons shall be appointed
4 by the President of the Senate, and three persons shall be
5 appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The
6 members of the task force shall appoint a chairperson.
7 (b) Each member appointed to the task force shall
8 serve at the pleasure of the appointing official. Any vacancy
9 on the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the
10 original appointment. Any task force member may, upon
11 notification to the chairperson before the beginning of any
12 scheduled meeting, appoint an alternative to represent the
13 member on the task force and vote on task force business in
14 his or her absence.
15 (c) Each member of the task force is entitled to
16 receive per diem and travel expenses as provided under s.
17 112.061, Florida Statutes.
18 (d) All meetings and proceedings of the task force
19 shall be staffed by the Public Service Commission and are
20 subject to ss. 119.07 and 286.011, Florida Statutes. The task
21 force shall conduct its first meeting no later than 60 days
22 after the effective date of the act.
23 (3) The task force shall:
24 (a) Evaluate and analyze current electric utility
25 transmission systems and determine whether the utility
26 equipment being used is appropriate for use in this state.
27 (b) Consider the feasibility and costs of continuing
28 maintenance, upgrading, and protecting the current electric
29 utility transmission system.
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Florida Senate - 2005 SB 30-B
30-809-06
1 (c) Determine whether the current electric utility
2 transmission system can be improved to withstand the severe
3 natural forces that buffet the state.
4 (d) Evaluate the current and future anticipated needs
5 caused by an increased population and changing climate
6 conditions.
7 (e) Analyze electrical transformers and the best
8 methods by which to protect them.
9 (f) Evaluate the current electrical needs of
10 facilities providing critical services, such as nursing homes
11 and assisted living facilities and determine whether on-site
12 emergency systems should be required for these facilities.
13 (g) Determine the cost-effectiveness of requiring that
14 electric utility distribution and transmission facilities be
15 installed underground for all new construction and the
16 cost-effectiveness of converting overhead distribution and
17 transmission facilities to underground distribution and
18 transmission facilities when these facilities are replaced or
19 relocated. When considering the practical feasibility of
20 underground electric utility transmission systems, the task
21 force shall:
22 1. Consider the cost of placing some or all electric
23 utility transmission systems underground.
24 2. Determine the advantages to the public and to
25 utility company employees which are expected, including, but
26 not limited to, the expected reduction in accidental
27 electrocutions, temporary and permanent disabilities, and
28 vehicular accidents involving distribution and transmission
29 facilities, and the expected reduction in the ascertainable
30 and measurable costs of adverse health effects.
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Florida Senate - 2005 SB 30-B
30-809-06
1 3. Determine the cost differential between underground
2 transmission systems and overhead electric utility systems for
3 right-of-way acquisition, tree-trimming requirements, and
4 repairs arising from storm damage.
5 4. Estimate the loss incurred by the private and
6 public sectors as a result of electric outages due to storm
7 damage.
8 (h) Evaluate and analyze the feasibility, including
9 the estimated cost, of providing generators to retail outlets
10 selling motor fuel following a natural disaster.
11 (i) Evaluate and analyze the feasibility, including
12 the estimated cost, of providing generators to facilities that
13 provide kidney dialysis to patients following a natural
14 disaster.
15 (j) Consider the feasibility and costs of continuing
16 maintenance, upgrading, and protecting the current
17 telecommunications transmission system.
18 (4) The task force shall present a report of its
19 findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President of
20 the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no
21 later than 120 days after the first meeting of the task force.
22 The task force is dissolved after submitting its report.
23 Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a
24 law.
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26 *****************************************
27 SENATE SUMMARY
28 Creates the Utility Preparedness Task Force. Provides
duties and membership of the task force. Requires that
29 the task force submit a report to the Governor and the
Legislature. Provides for the task force to be dissolved
30 on a specified date upon submission of its report.
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