Senate backs measure to let licensed electricians inspect weatherheads to speed post-storm power restoration
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Summary
Bill 217-38 COR was placed into third reading after lawmakers agreed to allow licensed electricians (not only master electricians) to perform weatherhead inspections and certifications, a move sponsors say will reduce wait times and costs after storms; questions remained about Guam Power Authority’s written requirements.
Lawmakers advanced Bill 217-38 COR to the third reading file after a floor exchange over how to reduce delays restoring household power after storms.
Sponsor remarks said the bill authorizes licensed electricians — in addition to master electricians — to inspect and certify weatherheads for code compliance and safety, allowing more local workers to sign off so Guam Power Authority (GPA) can reconnect service sooner. Supporters said the current bottleneck is a small pool of master electricians and that expanding the authorized certifiers would cut costs that range, in testimony, from several hundred to several thousand dollars per household following storm damage.
Floor members asked whether GPA’s policy requiring master-electrician signoff exists in writing and whether Department of Public Works (DPW) designation of qualified inspectors should be explicit in the statute. The sponsor and committee representatives said the bill’s language allows DPW to employ or designate qualified inspectors and that the Guam Contractors Licensing Board and DPW support the change; several senators urged further coordination with GPA.
Amendments adding co-sponsors were adopted and the measure was placed into the third reading voting file without recorded objection.
