Opinion ID: 2609851
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: high voltage power lines and safety restriction act

Text: Wyrulec's first two issues concern the applicability of WYO.STAT. § 37-3-304 which states in pertinent part: 37-3-304. Activity in close proximity to lines; clearance arrangements; procedure; payment; notice. (a) If any person or business entity desires to temporarily carry on any act in closer proximity to any high voltage overhead line than permitted by this act, the person or business entity responsible for performing the work shall promptly notify the appropriate public utility and shall ask the public utility for assistance. Wyrulec contends that the notice provision in paragraph (a) of this statute required Schutt to contact them. Although the statutory language indicates that notice depends upon whether the activity is in proximity to high voltage lines, Wyrulec argues the notice provision should apply when, as in this case, the voltage of the lines is unknown. Wyrulec theorizes that since only notice would cause Wyrulec to have a duty to Schutt, his failure to notify bars his cause of action. We reject this interpretation of the statute. This court's method of statutory interpretation is to read the text of the statute and pay attention to its internal structure and the functional relation between the parts and the whole. Parker Land & Cattle Co. v. Wyoming Game & Fish Comm'n, 845 P.2d 1040, 1045 (Wyo.1993). In order to ascertain its intent and general purpose and the meaning of each part, the five sections of this act are to be read in pari materia and construed as a whole. Parker, at 1042. The language is clear and unambiguous because its wording is such that reasonable persons are able to agree as to its meaning with consistence and predictability. Parker, at 1043. When the statutory language is unambiguous, the general rule is that the court will not resort to application of rules of construction. Id. We look to the plain, ordinary meaning of the language of the statute and apply that meaning. Id. WYO.STAT. § 37-3-302 defines high voltage as voltage in excess of six hundred (600) volts measured between conductors or between a conductor and the ground. Section 37-3-303 of the act prohibits activity beneath a high voltage power line unless clearances exceed six feet. In this case, all power lines which exceeded 600 volts were at least sixteen feet above the roof. Section 37-3-304 of the act requires notice only when there will be activity in closer proximity to high voltage lines than is permitted under § 37-3-303. Section 37-3-305 only grants the utility a right of indemnity if this act is violated and damage occurs. There is no language that a cause of action would be barred. We will not enlarge, stretch, expand or extend a statute to matters not falling within its express provisions. City of Cheyenne v. Huitt, 844 P.2d 1102, 1104 (Wyo. 1993) (quoting Lo Sasso v. Braun, 386 P.2d 630, 632 (Wyo.1963)). Where a statute enumerates the subjects or things on which it is to operate, or the persons affected, or forbids certain things, it is to be construed as excluding from its effect all those not expressly mentioned under the rule of expressio unius est exclusio alterius.  Huitt, 844 P.2d at 1104 (citing Town of Pine Bluffs v. State Bd. of Equalization, 79 Wyo. 262, 333 P.2d 700 (1958)). It was undisputed that the wires' voltage which Schutt contacted ranged only from 110 volts to 240 volts. The purpose of this act was to forbid activity in close proximity to high voltage wires of 600 volts or more unless the utility was notified and safety arrangements were made. This statute does not apply to low voltage wires and therefore did not apply to the facts of this case. Wyrulec's contention that the statute applied because of Schutt's failure to ascertain the voltage of low lines over a roof would impermissibly expand its reach. Because this act does not apply in this case, the district court properly refused instructions for the jury to consider it.