PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
STATE OF HAWAII

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

ADOPTION OF TITLE 6, CHAPTER 73,
HAWAII ADMINISTRATIVE RULES,
INSTALLATION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF
OVERHEAD AND UNDERGROUND ELECTRICAL SUPPLY
AND COMMUNICATION LINES
AND THE REPEAL OF GENERAL ORDER NOS. 6 AND 10

Pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes (“HRS”), the STATE OF HAWAII, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION (“Commission”), will hold a public hearing, thereby providing the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed:

1. Repeal of the Commission’s General Order No. 6, rules for overhead electric line construction;
2. Repeal of the Commission’s General Order No. 10, rules for construction of underground electrical and communications systems; and
3. Adoption of chapter 6-73, Hawaii Administrative Rules (“HAR”), in place of General Order Nos. 6 and 10.

By way of chapter 6-73, HAR, the Commission proposes to adopt by reference the National Electrical Safety Code, 2002 edition (“Code”), subject to: (1) the incorporation of certain modifications to the Code proposed by the Commission, as set forth in sections 6-73-20 and 6-73-21, HAR; and (2) the adoption of certain provisions of particular applicability to Hawaii, including, but not limited to, loadings for electrical transmission lines, grounding systems design, conductor clearance values, and assumed vertical loads. Chapter 6-73 is intended to replace General Order Nos. 6 and 10. Thus, Chapter 6-73, and by extension, the Code, is intended to apply to public utilities installing, operating, and/or maintaining electrical or communication lines in the State of Hawaii.

A general description of the subjects covered by chapter 6-73, as proposed, is as follows: The Chapter consists of three subchapters. Subchapter 1, General Provisions, states the purpose of the new Chapter and provides certain definitions. The subchapter also includes a provision regarding the application of additional sources, along with a severability clause. Subchapter 2, National Electrical Safety Code, contains the Commission’s findings in support of adopting the Code, the Code adherence date, and specifies when the Code is intended to prospectively apply to new installations. Subchapter 2 also includes a provision for particulars not specified in the Code, a provision for using accepted good practice in construction and maintenance for given local conditions, and a provision regarding procedures for development or modification of standards governing local conditions. Also included in subchapter 2 are utility specific standards governing exemption and waiver of chapter 6-73 provisions (as well as standards governing the modification or rescission of any waiver or exemption granted). Subchapter 3, Provisions of Particular Applicability to Hawaii, includes provisions of particular applicability and modifications to the Code, as previously noted, above.

The public hearing will be held as follows:

DATE TIME LOCATION

Dec. 22, 2006 9:00 a.m. PUC Hearing Room
465 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813

Interested persons are invited to attend the public hearing and present their views orally, in writing, or both, on the proposed: (1) repeal of General Order Nos. 6 and 10; and (2) adoption of chapter 6-73. Written comments and testimonies will also be accepted at the Commission’s Honolulu office located at 465 S. King St., Room 103, Honolulu, HI, 96813, via postal mail, personal delivery, or e-mail at Hawaii.PUC@ hawaii.gov, up until ten days after the date of the public hearing.

Copies of the proposed chapter 6-73 rules may be reviewed or obtained, at no cost, at the Commission’s Honolulu office, during its regular business hours (Monday through Friday, between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., excluding State holidays). On the neighbor islands, copies may be reviewed or obtained, at no cost, at any of the following locations:

Hawaii PUC District Office*
688 Kinoole St., #106-A
Hilo, HI 96720
Phone: (808) 974-4533

Kauai PUC District Office*
3060 Eiwa St., #302-C
Lihue, Kauai, HI 96766
Phone: (808) 274-3232

Maui PUC District Office*
State Office Building #1
54 South High St., #218
Wailuku, Maui, HI 96793
Phone: (808) 984-8182

* The Commission’s district representatives may be contacted during regular business hours to schedule an appointment to review the proposed chapter 6-73 rules.

In addition, the Commission will mail a copy of the proposed chapter 6-73 rules, at no charge, upon receipt of a request at the Commission’s Honolulu office ((808) 586-2020). The proposed chapter 6-73 rules can also be accessed at the Commission’s website at http://www.hawaii.gov/budget/puc/ or at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor’s website at http://www.hawaii.gov/ltgov.

Special accommodations for persons with disabilities who are interested in attending the public hearing will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance of the hearing by contacting the Commission’s Honolulu office.

_____________________________________
CARLITO P. CALIBOSO
Chairman, Public Utilities Commission (SB05525899 11/22/06)