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Ohio Gas Association opposes HB54 abandonment language, urges use of Underground Damage Prevention Coalition
Summary
The Ohio Gas Association told the Senate Transportation Committee that language in House Bill 54 requiring removal or abandonment of utility structures should be removed and addressed through the existing Ohio Underground Damage Prevention Coalition process instead.
Jimmy Stewart, president of the Ohio Gas Association, told the Senate Transportation Committee the association "strongly opposes" House Bill 54 language related to the abandonment of telecommunications and utility structures and urged legislators to let the existing multi‑stakeholder process work.
Stewart said enforcing removal of abandoned lines would divert resources from constructing and maintaining broadband and energy infrastructure and could create unintended consequences such as damage to adjacent active utilities and roadway surfaces. "Repairing these damages would further drain resources and delay other…
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