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2004 SESSION


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 153
Requesting the State Corporation Commission to study the placement of utility lines underground. Report.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2004
Agreed to by the Senate, March 9, 2004

WHEREAS, the existence of overhead utility distribution lines has caused hardship in the past due to utility disruptions in urban areas in the Commonwealth during severe weather conditions, including hardship occurring during the recent hurricane; and

WHEREAS, placing underground the currently existing overhead utility distribution lines and any new utility distribution lines would reduce the number of weather-related utility disruptions; and

WHEREAS, placing underground the currently existing overhead utility distribution lines and any new utility distribution lines may reduce utility line maintenance costs; and

WHEREAS, placing underground the currently existing overhead utility distribution lines and any new utility distribution lines would minimize the visual pollution in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the State Corporation Commission be requested to study the placement of utility lines underground. The State Corporation Commission shall solicit the participation of interested parties in conducting a study of the feasibility of placing underground the currently existing overhead utility distribution lines and any new distribution lines, the costs that would be incurred, and the options for funding such underground placement.

The State Corporation Commission shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary and report of its progress in meeting the directives of this resolution no later than the first day of the 2005 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.