An Act To Create a Position at the Public Utilities Commission
Maine Legislature, Session 124, LD 1661
Committee: Utilities and Energy
Sponsors: HOBBINS

. Legislative Document 
No. 1661 
S.P.626 
In Senate, December 21, 2009 
An Act To Create a Position at the Public Utilities Commission 
(EMERGENCY) 
Submitted by the Public Utilities. Commission pursuant to Joint Rule 204. 
Reference to the Committee on Utilities and Energy suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator HOBBINS of York. 
Printed on recycled paper 
9tf)tY~ 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
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Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission partners with the United States 
Department of Transportation with respect to the federal gas pipeline safety program; and 
Whereas, the Public Utilities Commission .has assumed certain gas pipeline safety 
inspection and enforcement responsibilities from the United States Department of 
Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and is paliially 
reimbursed by the United States Department of Transportation for the costs associated 
with carrying out these responsibi I ities; and 
Whereas, 'the Public Utilities Commission has contracted' for these' certain gas 
pipeline safety inspection and enforcement responsibilities; and 
Whereas, it is the policy C)f the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety 
Administration to contract for thi: work only on a temporary basis until permanent' 
inspection staff can be obtained; anI 
Whereas, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration expects the 
Public Utilities Commission to have a permanent inspector position created by the end of 
the current contract period, which is July 20 1 0; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation' as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, 
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows: 
Sec. 1. Appropriations and allocations. 
The following appropriations and 
allocations are made. 
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION 
Public Utilities Commission Regulatory Fund 0184 
Initiative: Establishes one Utility Analyst - Public Service Coordinator III position. This 
position will carry out certain activities related to gas pipeline safety inspection and 
enforcement. 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS 
Positions - Legislative Count 
Personal Services 
All Other 
OTHER SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS TOTAL 
2009-10 
0.000 
$0 
$0 
$0 
2010-11 
1.000 
$114,166 
($37,865) 
$76,301 
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Emergency clause. 
In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this 
legislation takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This biIl adds one Utility Analyst '- Public Service Coordinator III position at the 
Public Utilities Commission as required by the policy of the United States Department of 
Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. 
The Public 
Utilities Commission partners with the United States Department of Transportation with 
respect to the federal gas pipeline safety program and has assumed certain gas pipeline 
inspection and enforcement responsibilities from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials 
Safety Administration. The new position is created to carry out these gas pipeline safety 
II 
inspection and enforcement responsibilities. Funds for this position are allocated from 
the Public Utilities Commission Regulatory Fund and are partially reimbursed by the 
United States Department of Transportation. 
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