HB 1305

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to electric utility transmission; creating
3the Utility Preparedness 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.  Utility Preparedness Task Force.--
12     (1)  The Utility Preparedness Task Force is established for
13the purpose of evaluating the current electric utility
14transmission system, determining the feasibility of upgrading
15and protecting the current electric and telecommunications
16transmission systems, evaluating the current and future
17anticipated needs caused by an increased population and changing
18climate conditions, analyzing electrical transformers and the
19best methods by which to protect them, determining the cost-
20effectiveness of requiring underground installation of electric
21utility distribution and transmission facilities for all new
22construction, and determining the cost of converting overhead
23electric distribution and transmission facilities to underground
24distribution and transmission facilities when these facilities
25are replaced or relocated.
26     (2)(a)  The task force shall consist of nine members. The
27members may include, but are not limited to, representatives
28from power utility companies, telecommunications companies,
29electrical contractors, scientists who specialize in the
30transmission of power, engineers, and consumer representatives.
31Three persons shall be appointed by the Governor, three persons
32shall be appointed by the President of the Senate, and three
33persons shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of
34Representatives. The members of the task force shall appoint a
35chairperson.
36     (b)  Each member appointed to the task force shall serve at
37the pleasure of the appointing official. Any vacancy on the task
38force shall be filled in the same manner as the original
39appointment. Any task force member may, upon notification to the
40chairperson before the beginning of any scheduled meeting,
41appoint an alternative to represent the member on the task force
42and vote on task force business in his or her absence.
43     (c)  Each member of the task force is entitled to receive
44per diem and travel expenses as provided under s. 112.061,
45Florida Statutes.
46     (d)  All meetings and proceedings of the task force shall
47be staffed by the Public Service Commission and are subject to
48ss. 119.07 and 286.011, Florida Statutes. The task force shall
49conduct its first meeting no later than 60 days after the
50effective date of the act.
51     (3)  The task force shall:
52     (a)  Evaluate and analyze current electric utility
53transmission systems and determine whether the utility equipment
54being used is appropriate for use in this state.
55     (b)  Consider the feasibility and costs of continuing
56maintenance, upgrading, and protecting the current electric
57utility transmission system.
58     (c)  Determine whether the current electric utility
59transmission system can be improved to withstand the severe
60natural forces that buffet the state.
61     (d)  Evaluate the current and future anticipated needs
62caused by an increased population and changing climate
63conditions.
64     (e)  Analyze electrical transformers and the best methods
65by which to protect them.
66     (f)  Evaluate the current electrical needs of facilities
67providing critical services, such as nursing homes and assisted
68living facilities, and determine whether on-site emergency
69systems should be required for these facilities.
70     (g)  Determine the cost-effectiveness of requiring that
71electric utility distribution and transmission facilities be
72installed underground for all new construction and the cost-
73effectiveness of converting overhead distribution and
74transmission facilities to underground distribution and
75transmission facilities when these facilities are replaced or
76relocated. When considering the practical feasibility of
77underground electric utility transmission systems, the task
78force shall:
79     1.  Consider the cost of placing some or all electric
80utility transmission systems underground.
81     2.  Determine the advantages to the public and to utility
82company employees which are expected, including, but not limited
83to, the expected reduction in accidental electrocutions,
84temporary and permanent disabilities, and vehicular accidents
85involving distribution and transmission facilities, and the
86expected reduction in the ascertainable and measurable costs of
87adverse health effects.
88     3.  Determine the cost differential between underground
89transmission systems and overhead electric utility systems for
90right-of-way acquisition, tree-trimming requirements, and
91repairs arising from storm damage.
92     4.  Estimate the loss incurred by the private and public
93sectors as a result of electric outages due to storm damage.
94     (h)  Evaluate and analyze the feasibility, including the
95estimated cost, of providing generators to retail outlets
96selling motor fuel following a natural disaster.
97     (i)  Evaluate and analyze the feasibility, including the
98estimated cost, of providing generators to facilities that
99provide kidney dialysis to patients following a natural
100disaster.
101     (j)  Consider the feasibility and costs of continuing
102maintenance, upgrading, and protecting the current
103telecommunications transmission system.
104     (4)  The task force shall present a report of its findings
105and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the
106Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives no later
107than 120 days after the first meeting of the task force. The
108task force is dissolved after submitting its report.
109     Section 2.  This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.


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