S-4507               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6742

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State of Washington                               51st Legislature                              1990 Regular Session

By Senators Lee and Talmadge

Read first time 1/24/90 and referred to Committee on  Energy & Utilities.

AN ACT Relating to electric energy beyond city limits; adding a new section to chapter 35.84 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that when municipal utilities provide electricity outside the city limits of the municipality, the customers living outside of city limits are not provided the same representation as customers inside the city limits.  The legislature further finds that because these customers outside of city limits are disenfranchised regarding the decisions of the utility, special precautions are needed to ensure that adequate public awareness exists in relation to utility policy, especially in regards to electric power lines.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 35.84 RCW to read as follows:

          Whenever any city or town owning its own electric power and light plant sells electric energy outside of its corporate limits, it shall consult with the governing body of any affected city or county before it constructs or increases the capacity of any electric power line with a capacity in excess of fifteen thousand volts.  Except in the case of emergency repairs needed to maintain or restore electric service, the city or town utility selling electric energy shall provide two weeks' notice to the governing body of any affected city or county and shall provide for public notice of proposed construction or increase in capacity of any electric power line with a capacity in excess of fifteen thousand volts.