Amendment #3 to H3873

Safe Operation of Utility Vaults

Mr. Cusack moves to amend the bill by inserting the following new section:-

SECTION 1A. Chapter 143 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 101. The secretary of public safety and security shall promulgate regulations that set forth minimum safety standards for utility transformer vaults located within buildings subject to the state building code. For the purposes of this section, a utility transformer vault shall mean any totally enclosed structure or room in which electrified network transformers, network protectors and related electrical equipment are housed.  Regulations shall include, but not be limited to, uniform standards for access, structural integrity, ventilation, and lighting of a utility transformer vault and shall set forth the frequency of inspection by a state or municipal official to  ensure the enforcement of minimum safety standards.

And by striking out, in line 1, the words “SECTION 1” and inserting in place thereof the following:- SECTION 1B.

And by inserting at the end thereof the following section:

SECTION 6. Prior to the promulgation of any regulations under section 101 of chapter 143 of the General Laws, and within 45 days of the passage of this act, the secretary of public safety and security, or a designee, shall hold a hearing on the issues relative to the establishment of minimum safety standards for utility transformer vaults located within buildings subject to the state building code. and shall extend an invitation to all stakeholders to testify at the hearing.  The secretary shall then submit a report to the clerks of the house of representatives and senate detailing the secretary’s plan to address the establishment of minimum safety standards for utility transformer vaults.  The report shall include, but not be limited to, an outline of regulations to be promulgated by the secretary; any issues related to implementation of the regulations, including structural limitations of older buildings containing utility transformer vaults; any ancillary costs, including the cost of inspections and possible costs to businesses and municipalities to comply with any proposed new regulations; and any recommendations for legislation necessary to further implement minimum safety standards for utility transformer vaults.