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Summary: This legislation requires municipal electric utilities construct, operate, and maintain its transmission lines and distribution lines along highways and other places in accordance with the National Electrical Safety Code. With regard to clearances, utilities that are not municipal would be required to follow the same standards.
Analysis: Currently in Texas there are numerous and conflicting definitions of "distribution" lines. A recent court ruling has ordered a specific height requirement be applied to transmission lines only. The problem is that according to Texas definitions, some distribution lines are labeled as transmission lines according to National definitions and standards. This bill clarifies and defines "Transmission and Distribution lines", to spare very costly rate hikes to customers due to existing definitional conflict requiring certain clearance heights. All lines remain in accordance with National Safety Standards.