2023 Maine Revised Statutes › TITLE 35-A: PUBLIC UTILITIES › Part 2: PUBLIC UTILITIES › Chapter 23: UTILITY FACILITIES IN THE PUBLIC WAY › 35-A §2305-A. Transmission and distribution utilities and telephone providers to conform to standards

§2305-A. Transmission and distribution utilities and telephone providers to conform to standards
1.  Definitions.
As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings.
A. "Cable television company" has the same meaning as in Title 30‑A, section 2001.   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
B. "Most recent edition of the Standard" means the 1993 edition or any subsequent edition of the Standard adopted by the commission pursuant to this section.   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
C. "Standard" means the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)-ANSI-C2.   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
[PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
2.  Applicable national standard.
Except as otherwise provided in this section or by rule of the commission adopted pursuant to this section, every transmission and distribution utility, entity authorized under section 2301 to construct lines and cable television company shall design, construct, operate and maintain its lines and equipment in conformance with the applicable provisions of the most recent edition of the Standard.
[PL 2011, c. 623, Pt. B, §7 (AMD).]
3.  Review of standards by commission.
Whenever a new or revised edition of the Standard is published, a transmission and distribution utility, entity authorized under section 2301 to construct lines or cable television company may request the commission to hold a hearing on whether the new or revised Standard should be adopted.
A. If a hearing is requested within 120 days of the publication of the new or revised Standard, the commission shall hold a hearing and shall either adopt the new or revised Standard or, pursuant to subsection 4, amend or reject the new or revised Standard. If a hearing is requested and held under this paragraph, the new or revised Standard does not go into effect in any form except as expressly provided by the commission in its order.   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
B. If a hearing is not requested within 120 days of the publication of the new or revised Standard, the commission is deemed to have adopted the new or revised Standard effective on the 180th day after publication. Existing facilities that meet the requirements of the previously applicable Standard but which do not meet the requirements of the new or revised Standard may remain in noncompliance only if grandfathered under the new edition.   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
[PL 2011, c. 623, Pt. B, §7 (AMD).]
4.  Modifications, deletions and waivers to Standard.
The commission may, at its discretion and after appropriate hearing, modify, delete or waive individual requirements of the Standard. The commission may make a modification or deletion or grant a waiver of a national standard of practice contained in the Standard only if it finds one of the following:
A. Other measures achieving equivalent levels of safety will be substituted for the modified, deleted or waived national standard; or   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
B. The national standard is not applicable or is unduly burdensome for the level of safety achieved under local conditions.   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
Modifications, deletions or waivers of individual requirements of the Standard remain in force until the next edition of the Standard is adopted by the commission pursuant to subsection 3 or the modification, deletion or waiver is repealed by the commission, whichever occurs first.
Pursuant to subsection 3, paragraph A, a transmission and distribution utility, entity authorized under section 2301 to construct lines or cable television company may petition the commission to continue approved modifications, deletions or waivers under a new or revised Standard. Unless the commission reaffirms a modification, deletion or waiver in its order adopting a new or revised Standard, a modification, deletion or waiver is deemed repealed on adoption of the new or revised Standard.
[PL 2011, c. 623, Pt. B, §7 (AMD).]
5.  Additional safety measures.
The commission may, at its discretion and after appropriate hearing, require safety measures in addition to those required by the Standard. An additional requirement remains in force for 10 years from its effective date unless the commission:
A. Repeals the requirement; or   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
B. Reaffirms the requirement by order. Each reaffirmation must occur within 10 years of the original effective date of the requirement or within 10 years of the last affirmation.   [PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
[PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1995, c. 349, §3 (NEW). PL 1999, c. 398, §A35 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 398, §§A104,105 (AFF). PL 2011, c. 623, Pt. B, §7 (AMD).