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Amend the bill by striking out everything after the enacting clause and inserting the following:
‘Sec. 1.  35-A MRSA §314, sub-§1, ¶B  is enacted to read:
 
B.  "Eligible underground line extension" means a line extension that meets technical standards for underground installation of utility facilities established by the commission by rule.
Sec. 2.  35-A MRSA §314, sub-§4-A  is enacted to read:
 
4-A.  Underground line; reduced maintenance payment.     The commission shall adopt rules establishing requirements for a one-time payment by a transmission and distribution utility to a person that constructs an eligible underground line extension upon the transfer of ownership of the line to the transmission and distribution utility. The payment must take into account the estimated reduction in maintenance costs for an eligible underground line extension relative to an overhead line extension.
Sec. 3. 35-A MRSA §314, sub-§5, as enacted by PL 2001, c. 201, §1, is amended to read:
 
5. Submission of rules.   Rules adopted pursuant to this section are major substantive rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A and must be submitted to the Legislature for review no later than February 1, 20022-A, except that rules to implement subsection 4-A are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2-A.’
Amend the bill by relettering or renumbering any nonconsecutive Part letter or section number to read consecutively.
 
SUMMARY
This amendment replaces the bill. The amendment establishes requirements, through rulemaking by the Public Utilities Commission, for a one-time payment by a transmission and distribution utility to a person that constructs an underground line extension, subject to technical standards, upon the transfer of ownership of the line to the transmission and distribution utility. The payment must take into account the estimated reduction in maintenance costs for an underground line extension relative to an overhead line extension.
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED
(See attached)