H-1186.1          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 1650

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

By Representatives Wilson, Haugen, Brough and R. Johnson.

Read first time February 5, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Energy & Utilities.

Requiring measures to protect island inhabitants from the loss of electricity due to storm damage.

     AN ACT Relating to utilities; adding a new section to chapter 35.92 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 54.16 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 80.28 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.      Recent storms involving a combination of high winds, flooding, extreme cold, heavy snowfall, and ice caused the loss of electric power by thousands of Washington residents for extended periods of time.  Residents of the state's many islands are particularly vulnerable to the loss of power since a single line may provide power to the entire island.  It is the intent of this act to protect island inhabitants from the loss of electric power due to storm damage to power lines.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 35.92 RCW to read as follows:

     A city or town operating an electrical distribution facility that provides service to an island shall take all reasonable measures to prevent the loss of electricity to the island.  At a minimum, the utility shall either (1) place underground the electric power line from the last electrical substation on the mainland to the island or (2) have at least two electrical power lines to the island, located such that the loss of one line from an object falling on the line or damage to a supporting pole or tower will not cause the loss of another power line to the island.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 54.16 RCW to read as follows:

     A public utility district operating an electrical distribution facility that provides service to an island shall take all reasonable measures to prevent the loss of electricity to the island.  At a minimum, the utility shall either (1) place underground the electric power line from the last electrical substation on the mainland to the island or (2) have at least two electrical power lines to the island, located such that the loss of one line from an object falling on the line or damage to a supporting pole or tower will not cause the loss of another power line to the island.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  A new section is added to chapter 80.28 RCW to read as follows:

     An electrical company operating an electrical distribution facility that provides service to an island shall take all reasonable measures to prevent the loss of electricity to the island.  At a minimum, the utility shall either (1) place underground the electric power line from the last electrical substation on the mainland to the island or (2) have at least two electrical power lines to the island, located such that the loss of one line from an object falling on the line or damage to a supporting pole or tower will not cause the loss of another power line to the island.