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Committee approves bill requiring notice, decommission plans for transmission projects
Summary
Senate Bill 279, presented as a collaboration with Farm Bureau, passed committee. The bill adds state-level notice and decommissioning requirements for transmission-line projects and requires evidence of customer cost savings before approval.
Senate Bill 279, sponsored by Senator Green and described as developed with the Farm Bureau, passed the committee by a recorded vote of 10-1.
Green said the bill returns certain transmission project guidelines to state control from federal processes and requires notice to counties and landowners, developer applications with decommissioning plans and proof of cost savings to customers before transmission approval. "It requires notice to counties and landowners. It requires application for the developers with a decommission plan," Green said.
Debate centered on balancing property rights and the need for more transmission. Senator Murdock said he was wary of adding state-level red tape to federally reviewed transmission proposals and said the federal process already exists. Senator Bourne said proactive local collaboration speeds projects, reduces conflicts and can lower costs over time.
The roll call recorded 10 ayes and 1 nay; the chair declared SB279 passed out of committee.
