SCS/SB 563 - This act authorizes any electric utility to trim trees and control vegetation within the following areas: 1) within 10 feet of electric lines located in a city and potentially energized at or below 34.5 kilovolts; 2) within 40 feet of electric lines located outside of a city and potentially energized at or below 34.5 kilovolts; 3) within 50 feet of electric lines potentially energized between 34.5 and 100 kilovolts; and 4) within 75 feet or within a federally required clearance for electric lines potentially energized at 100 kilovolts or more. Electric utilities may control vegetation in excess of these areas if needed to maintain safe and reliable electric service. If the electric utility must remove certain trees outside of the authorized areas, it must notify the owner of the trees at least one week prior to their removal.
Landowners may request in writing that an electric utility remove or trim certain vegetation that poses a threat to an electric line. Electric utilities must respond to such a written request within 90 days of receipt of the request.
Nothing in the act grants greater authority to electric utilities to control vegetation beyond the negotiated terms of a recorded easement and nothing in the act requires electric utilities to fully exercise the authorities granted to it by the act.
This act is similar to HCS/HB 811 (2007).
ERIKA JAQUES