FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6054

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background: A guyed tower is secured with guy wires that are anchored in the ground. Guyed towers can typically support higher heights and/or heavier loads than a self-supporting tower. Generally, any construction or alteration to construction that is over 200 feet tall is regulated by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). The FAA requires that any tower or antenna structure be marked and lighted according to FAA regulations when the tower exceeds 200 feet in height.

Meteorological Evaluations Towers (METs) are typically used to measure wind speed and direction during development of wind energy conversion facilities. The METs are typically made from galvanized materials and are secured with guy wires. Many METs are below the 200-foot FAA threshold for obstruction markings. The towers can be erected quickly and without notice to the aviation community. Because of their color, pilots have reported difficulty seeing the METs from the air.

While there is no federal requirement to mark towers that are less than 200 feet tall, the FAA recommends the voluntary marking of MET towers less than 200 feet in remote and rural areas, and the National Transportation Safety Board recommends that all states enact legislation requiring all MET towers to be marked and registered in a directory. To date, ten states have legislation requiring that MET towers taller than 50 feet be clearly marked, and of those, four states also require a registry of those towers.

Summary: Any temporary or permanent guyed tower 25 feet or more in height located outside an incorporated city or town, not governed by an existing state or federal law or regulation, and on land that is primarily rural, undeveloped agricultural, or desert must be lighted, marked, and painted, or otherwise be visible in clear air during daylight hours from 2000 feet. Specific requirements related to marking and lighting the guyed tower are prescribed in the act.

An exemption to the guyed tower requirements is provided to power poles or structures owned and operated by an electric utility; any structure where the primary purpose is to support telecommunications equipment, such as amateur radio services regulated by the Federal Communications Commission; and guyed towers within 50 feet of a higher or equal height structure or vegetation.

A person who is in violation of these regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate	48	0
House	96	1	(House amended)
Senate	49	0	(Senate concurred)