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| Submitted comments will appear below after staff approval. | |
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| Glen Pomeroy | 2/6/2005 9:31:01 PM |
| The proposed code requires that utilities relocate existing overhead lines and service connections to belowground, mostly for esthetics, in areas targeted by the Director and approved by the Assembly. The utilities need not expend more than 2% of their gross revenues derived from service connections in the MOA per year to comply with this requirement. This 2% of gross revenues will be then recovered from all of the rate payers in the MOA. This is a tax to improve the scenery where there are no existing problems with the utility’s infrastructure. It is highly unlikely that the areas selected for relocation of lines by the Director and the Assembly will be distributed across the MOA in proportion to the funding received from the rate payers. For example, Mountain View and Spenard are likely to be paying for the burial of overhead lines in higher class neighborhoods. I believe this approach is an underhanded new tax on everyone that pays a power bill. In short, the poor are taxed through higher utility bills so that those that live in exclusive neighborhoods can improve their views. I suggest that if a subdivision wants to have its overhead lines relocated underground, the cost for that relocation should be collected from that subdivision. This should be accomplished in a fashion similar to a road district or water/sewer district. Conduct a vote of the people that would be affected to determine if there is sufficient support and funding to accomplish the relocation. Existing utility lines should be left in place until they need to be replaced or unless an assessment district is formed to fund their relocation earlier. | |
| Mikal Hendee | 4/14/2004 11:11:31 AM |
| The neighborhoods and community councils that would be affected by any variances issued by the Director of the Office of Economic Development and Community Development should have a voice as to whether the variance should be issued. | |