MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2002 Regular Session
To: Public Utilities
By: Senator(s) Robertson, Stogner, Smith, Minor, Hewes, Nunnelee, Kirby, Harden, Bryan, Simmons
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 45-15-9, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE PERSONS PERFORMING WORK IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A HIGH VOLTAGE LINE TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO MISSISSIPPI ONE-CALL SYSTEM, INC., OR TO THE ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATING THE HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD LINE IF THE UTILITY IS NOT A MEMBER OF MISSISSIPPI ONE-CALL SYSTEM, INC.; TO AMEND SECTION 45-15-11, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE PERSONS OPERATING A CRANE, DERRICK, HOISTING EQUIPMENT OR SIMILAR APPARATUS WHICH CAN BE BROUGHT WITHIN TEN FEET OF A HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD LINE TO GIVE NOTICE TO MISSISSIPPI ONE-CALL SYSTEM, INC., OR TO THE ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATING THE HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD LINE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 45-15-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
45-15-9. (1) If any person desires to carry on any function, activity, work or operation in closer proximity to any high voltage overhead line than permitted by this chapter, the person responsible for performing the work shall promptly notify the electric utility operating the high voltage overhead line, by providing notice to Mississippi One-Call System, Inc., as established in Section 77-13-1 et seq., or where the electric utility operating the high voltage overhead line is not a member of Mississippi One-Call System, Inc., then by providing notice in writing, on a form to be provided by such electric utility, and, whichever method of notice is used, shall not perform the work until mutually satisfactory arrangements have been made between such electric utility and the person or business entity responsible for performing the work, to deter contact with the high voltage overhead lines as provided in subsection (3) below, however, this requirement shall not apply to persons lawfully occupying the land where the line is located and engaged in the regular and ordinary functions and activities of farming, ranching or other agricultural pursuits.
(2) Any person performing work within ten (10) feet of any high voltage overhead line operated by an electric utility that is a member of Mississippi One-Call System, Inc., shall provide to Mississippi One-Call System, Inc., a work notice which shall be given to the Mississippi One-Call System, Inc., in writing, electronically or telephonically prior to the beginning of the actual work. Such notice shall be reasonable, considering the work to be done; however, the notice shall not be less than forty-eight (48) hours prior to the scheduled commencement of the work, exclusive of holidays and weekends, except in emergency situations that include police, fire and rescue emergencies, in which case the notice shall be made as soon as possible. The work notice shall contain the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the work notice, the person responsible for the work, the commencement date of the work, anticipated duration of the work, the type of work to be conducted and the location of the proposed work. The person giving the work notice to Mississippi One-Call System, Inc., shall be furnished an individual reference file number for each notification and shall be offered by Mississippi One-Call System, Inc., the name of the electric utility to whom the notification will be transmitted. The person responsible for performing the work in the vicinity of the high voltage overhead lines shall at no cost, receive a written cost estimate from the utility for providing the necessary safety arrangements. If such person disagrees with the reasonableness of any written cost proposal or believes that the cost proposal calls for more work than is reasonably necessary to protect those working in close proximity to the high voltage overhead lines, the following options are available to such person:
(a) The electric utility shall be directed to commence work under protest; such person shall pay the electric utility for the work in accordance with the cost proposal, but shall be entitled to seek recovery of all or any part of the money paid to the electric utility in binding arbitration as is hereinafter provided; or
(b) Prior to directing the work to be performed, the person responsible for performing the work in the vicinity of high voltage overhead power lines may submit to binding arbitration, as hereinafter provided, to resolve the issues of the reasonableness and necessity of the cost, and the description of the work to be performed by the electric utility under its written cost proposal.
(3) In the event of a disagreement between the electric utility and the person responsible for performing work in the vicinity of the high voltage overhead line regarding the reasonableness or necessity of the price or the work to be performed to deter contact with high voltage overhead lines, the disputes shall be submitted to binding arbitration in accordance with the procedures set forth in Sections 11-15-101 through 11-15-143, Mississippi Code of 1972. The Public Service Commission shall serve as arbitrator for the purposes of this act. The demand for arbitration shall be specifically enforceable in any court of law or equity. The decision of the arbitrators as to the reasonableness or necessity of the cost or the work to be performed shall be final and binding upon the parties.
(4) The electric utility shall commence arrangements as provided herein within five (5) working days of the mutual agreement, notice to proceed under protest, or the decision of the arbitrators. Once initiated, the clearance work will continue without unreasonable interruption to completion. Should the electric utility fail to provide for temporary clearances or safety measures in a timely manner as required by this chapter, the electric utility shall be liable for costs or loss of production of the person requesting assistance to work in close proximity to high voltage overhead lines. In locations where identity of the electric utility operating the high voltage overhead lines is not easily known, the Mississippi Public Service Commission shall, upon request, provide the name, address and telephone number of such utility for notification purposes.
SECTION 2. Section 45-15-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
45-15-11. No person shall operate any crane, derrick, power shovel, drilling rig, pile driver, hoisting equipment, or similar apparatus, or any part thereof, which could be brought within ten (10) feet of any high voltage overhead line, unless:
(a) There is posted and maintained a warning sign, as herein defined, clearly legible and placed as follows:
(i) Within the equipment readily visible to the operator of such equipment when at the controls of such equipment; and
(ii) On the outside of the equipment in such number and location as to be readily visible to mechanics or other persons engaged in the work operations;
(b) There is installed an insulated cage-type guard or protective device about the boom or arm of all equipment, except backhoes or dippers and, where the equipment includes a lifting hook device, all lifting lines are equipped with insulator links on the lift hook connection; and
(c) A person is designated to observe clearance of the equipment from any nearby high voltage overhead lines and to give timely warning for all operations where it is difficult by visual means for the operator to determine and to maintain the required clearance.
(d) The person responsible for performing the work within ten (10) feet of any high voltage overhead line has given the notice required by Section 45-15-9.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.