S.F. No 674 relates to the routing of High Voltage Transmission Lines (HVTL). The route of a HVTL requires a permit from the Public Utilities Commission. In the construction of a HVTL, particularly on a new route, it is common for land or easements to be taken or purchased from private landowners for the purpose of the route.
Section 1 adds to the list of factors the Public Utilities Commission must consider when considering the location of an HVTIL route. It adds as a factor an analysis of the reduction in value of land adjoining and in proximity to the route caused by the proposed route. Requires the Public Utilities Commission, when the commission finds it appropriate, to consider the problems raised by affected landowners in considering what is the appropriate route.
Section 2 provides that an owner of land adjoining a route, but not included in the route, can exercise the “buy the farm” right, if the owner’s land is diminished in value by more than 50 percent because of the construction of the HVTL. The buy the farm right allows an owner to require the utility to buy contiguous, commercially viable additional land in addition to the land taken for the route.
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