Rep. Phil Green introduces bill to expand utility vegetation trimming around power lines

Representative Phil Green told the House Rules Committee that House Bill 4,361 responds to repeated outages caused by falling limbs following emerald ash borer infestations and ice buildup. "Trees came down and took out the power lines," he said, explaining the bill would add a section to the law governing the Public Service Commission to allow standards that permit trimmers to cut vertically and maintain vegetation out to 15 feet from the outermost conductor.

Green said the measure aims to reduce costs and improve transmission and distribution reliability. He told the committee that the change is largely a standards question for the Public Service Commission and described consultations with line-maintenance contractors and commission staff during drafting. He said those who maintain lines were supportive and that trimming would focus on branches rather than removal of major trees: "What they would be trimming is the branches... We're talking about 6, 8 inch limbs that are above the power lines at this point."

Committee members asked whether the Public Service Commission had input on the rulemaking authority and whether forestry interests were harmed. Green said PSC staff had provided input and that he had not seen opposition to the current wording in committee hearings; he also said forestry stakeholders did not express concerns that the change would harm Michigan forests. The committee read a public-comment card indicating John Kran of MECA submitted support but did not wish to speak.

The discussion did not include a motion or vote on the bill during this meeting; committee members reserved further action for later committee consideration or subsequent committee business.