§269-27.6  Construction of high-voltageelectric transmission lines; overhead or underground construction.  (a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, whenever a public utility applies tothe public utilities commission for approval to place, construct, erect, orotherwise build a new 46 kilovolt or greater high-voltage electric transmissionsystem, either above or below the surface of the ground, the public utilitiescommission shall determine whether the electric transmission system shall beplaced, constructed, erected, or built above or below the surface of theground; provided that in its determination, the public utilities commissionshall consider:

(1)  Whether a benefit exists that outweighs the costsof placing the electric transmission system underground;

(2)  Whether there is a governmental public policyrequiring the electric transmission system to be placed, constructed, erected,or built underground, and the governmental agency establishing the policycommits funds for the additional costs of undergrounding;

(3)  Whether any governmental agency or other partiesare willing to pay for the additional costs of undergrounding;

(4)  The recommendation of the division of consumeradvocacy of the department of commerce and consumer affairs, which shall bebased on an evaluation of the factors set forth under this subsection; and

(5)  Any other relevant factors.

(b)  In making the determination set forth insubsection (a), for new 138 kilovolt or greater high-voltage transmissionsystems, the public utilities commission shall evaluate and make specificfindings on all of the following factors:

(1)  The amortized cost of construction over therespective usable life of an above-ground versus underground system;

(2)  The amortized cost of repair over the respectiveusable life of an above-ground versus underground system;

(3)  The risk of damage or destruction over therespective usable life of an above-ground versus an underground system;

(4)  The relative safety and liability risks of anabove-ground versus underground system;

(5)  The electromagnetic field emission exposure froman above-ground versus underground system;

(6)  The proximity and visibility of an above-groundsystem to:

(A)  High density population areas;

(B)  Conservation and other valuable naturalresource and public recreation areas;

(C)  Areas of special importance to the tourismindustry; and

(D)  Other industries particularly dependent on Hawaii's natural beauty;

(7)  The length of the system;

(8)  The breadth and depth of public sentiment withrespect to an above-ground versus underground system; and

(9)  Any other factors that the public utilitiescommission deems relevant.

(c)  A public utility making an application tothe public utilities commission under this section shall clearly and fullystate and support its evaluation of each factor set forth in subsection (b). [L1994, c 133, §2; am L 1997, c 95, §2; am L 1998, c 218, §1]

 

Cross References

 

  Underground installation of utility facilities alongfederal-aid highways, see §264-33.5.