Should we reduce regulation around power line management on federally managed lands?
Bill Summary
This bill allows electric utilities to submit long-term plans that would guide vegetation management and maintenance activities on (or adjacent to) electrical infrastructure on federal lands. Electric utilities that have notified those agencies of vegetation that could come into contact with a transmission line would be exempt from legal liability in the event of a subsequent wildfire.. Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1]
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Opponents say
• Implementing the bill would cost $12 million over the 2018-2022 period.
• Gives utilities too much control, and the ability to remove trees should still require the Forest Service's approval.
• Gives utilities too much control, and the ability to remove trees should still require the Forest Service's approval.
Proponents say
• This bill will help ensure the reliability of the region’s electrical grid and improve forest health.
• We need adequate vegetation management and less regulation in power line rights-of-way on federally managed public lands to reduce the risk of fires and fire hazards. Under current law it can take months for utilities to receive Forest Service approval to remove hazardous trees from transmission lines right of ways, even if trees are already in contact with electric transmission lines. H.R. 1873 provides utilities with the ability to rapidly remove hazardous trees by receiving pre-approval from the Forest Service to manage transmission line right of ways and remove trees that are or could become hazards.
• We need adequate vegetation management and less regulation in power line rights-of-way on federally managed public lands to reduce the risk of fires and fire hazards. Under current law it can take months for utilities to receive Forest Service approval to remove hazardous trees from transmission lines right of ways, even if trees are already in contact with electric transmission lines. H.R. 1873 provides utilities with the ability to rapidly remove hazardous trees by receiving pre-approval from the Forest Service to manage transmission line right of ways and remove trees that are or could become hazards.
- House bill on vegetation management would improve reliability, Kelly says
- Congressional Budget Office: Electricity Reliability and Forest Protection Act (H.R. 1873)
- Electric Reliability and Forest Protection Act passes through the Natural Resources Committee
- House Natural Resources Committee Issues Report on Electricity Reliability, Forest Protection Act
