Regulatory Update: Texas HB 4150
Texas HB 4150, dubbed the “Power Line Safety Bill,” passed through the Legislature in May of 2019. The bill was introduced in response to an accident on a Texas lake that claimed the lives of three Boy Scouts when the mast of their sailboat made contact with a power line.
Now, nearly a year after its passage, several requirements of that Bill are approaching initial reporting deadlines. What type of reporting — and in what detail — is expected from your utility? We have addressed those questions below in an effort to help you through these new procedures.
Please contact us if you we can help you meet your inspection goals.
Texas HB 4150 Summary
The term "affected entity" means an electric utility, electric cooperative, or municipally owned utility that owns or operates overhead transmission or distribution assets.
All reports are submitted to the Texas PUC. Reporting logistics & links are at the end of this summary.
Reporting Requirements
Ongoing Employee Training Report
By May 1, 2020, each affected entity must submit a report that includes:
Summary of OH T&D hazard recognition training documents provided to employees;
Summary of NESC T&D line construction training programs provided to employees.
Within 30 days of making changes to documents or training programs, an affected entity must submit an updated report.
Five-Year Report
Starting May 1, 2020, by May 1 every 5 years, each affected entity with OH transmission facilities over 60kV must submit a report for the 5-year period ending December 31 of the previous year that includes:
The percentage of OH transmission over 60kV inspected for compliance with NESC vertical clearance; and
The percentage of OH transmission over 60kV anticipated to be inspected for NESC vertical clearance compliance during the 5-year period beginning January 1 of the year when the report is submitted.
Annual Report
By May 1 of each year, each affected entity must make a report for the preceding calendar year. For each affected entity with OH transmission over 60 kV, include the following:
Number of identified occurrences of noncompliance with PURA §38.004 (NESC vertical clearance requirements);
Whether the affected entity has knowledge of any portion of its transmission system not in compliance with PURA §38.004 (NESC vertical clearance requirements);
Whether the affected entity has knowledge of any violations of easement agreements with the US Army Corps of Engineers relating to PURA §38.004 (NESC vertical clearance requirements).
For each affected entity with OH transmission greater than 60kV or distribution greater than 1kV, include the following:
Number of fatalities or injuries other than employees, contractors, or other qualified persons related to noncompliance with the requirements of PURA §38.004; and
A description of corrective actions taken or planned to prevent reoccurrence.
Violations resulting from, and incidents involving a violation resulting from, the following events are not required to be reported:
a natural disaster
weather event, or
man-made act or force outside of an affected entity's control
Reporting Logistics
Reporting Form. An affected entity must make each report on a form prescribed by the PUC.
Report Filing. An affected entity must include the project number designated by the PUC for the report on the first page of the report and submit the correct number of copies for filing.
Reports Publicly Available. By September 1 each year, the PUC will publish all reports on its website.
Helpful Links