Posted: | April 25, 2016 04:08 PM |
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From: | Senator Lisa Baker |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Updates to the Pennsylvania One Call Law |
Please join me in co-sponsoring legislation amending the Underground Utility Line Protection Act, which governs the Pennsylvania One Call System. Similar legislation was introduced by Senator Tomlinson last session as Senate Bill 1084. PA One Call is the communications system established to prevent damage to underground utilities and promote safety. This legislation transfers enforcement authority from the Department of Labor and Industry to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), which is consistent with the PUC’s current regulatory obligations and with recommendations by the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Governor’s Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force. The legislation removes existing exemptions related to municipalities, the Department of Transportation and the extraction of natural resources, which will ensure that the Commonwealth continues to receive certain federal safety grants. It also provides for mapping of lines and facilities, establishes a damage prevention committee, places additional duties on facility owners, excavators and project owners, and provides for assessments, fees and penalties. This legislation also extends the sunset date of the Act from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2021. Thank you for your consideration. |
Introduced as SB1235