{"AmendmentNumber":"105","ParentBillNumber":"S3143","Bill":null,"Sponsor":{"Id":"DAF0","Name":"Dylan A. Fernandes","Type":1,"Details":"https://malegislature.gov/api/GeneralCourts/194/LegislativeMembers/DAF0","ResponseDate":"2026-06-26T13:09:17.59"},"Category":null,"Action":"Rejected","RollCall":[],"Title":"Relative to co-location of high voltage transmission lines","Branch":"Senate","RedraftNumber":null,"IsFurther":false,"GeneralCourtNumber":194,"Text":"Messrs. Fernandes and Collins, Ms. Comerford, Ms. Edwards and Messrs. Keenan and Tarr move that the proposed new text be amended by inserting at the end thereof the following section:-\r\n\"SECTION X. Chapter 164 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:\r\nSection 69J 1/8. Notwithstanding any general or special law, rule or regulation to the contrary, high voltage transmission line installations on highways with full control of access shall be permitted and may be constructed, placed, or maintained across any public right of way or along state highways with full and limited control of access, including the interstate system, as defined in 700 CMR 3.01, subject to such limitations as the department of transportation deems necessary to protect public safety or ensure the proper function of the state highway.\r\n(1) The utility owner or developer shall in each case submit an application to the energy facilities siting board and department of transportation that demonstrates: (i) the accommodation will not adversely affect the safety, durability, construction, traffic operations, maintenance, or service life of the highway, (ii) the accommodation will not unduly interfere with or impair the present use of the highway; iii) access for constructing and servicing utility facility will not adversely affect safety and traffic operations or damage any highway facility; and (iv) consideration is given to planned future expansion of the highway.\r\n(2) In all cases of new installations of high voltage transmission lines along state highways, the electric company shall obtain a state highway access permit or other required approvals and install the high voltage transmission line in accordance with the approved permit.\r\n(3) If the energy facilities siting board denies a high voltage transmission line co-location request, the reasons for the denial shall be submitted to the department, the department of public utilities and be made publicly available, within 90 days of the denial.\r\n(4) Prior to selecting a route for any high voltage transmission line, the electric company shall conduct a transmission line corridor analysis, which shall consider the following corridors in order of priority: (i) existing utility corridors; (ii) interstate, freeway and state highways and railroad corridors; and (iii) new utility corridors.\r\n(5) Permitting on such corridors shall be consistent, to the greatest extent feasible, to the following criteria: (i) economic and engineering considerations; (ii) reliability of the electric system; (iii) public safety; and (iv) the protection of the environment.\"\r\n"}