S2988

The Senate passed legislation requiring utility pole owners to maintain their poles by removing invasive vines every five years, with a vote of 40-19. Sponsored by Sen. Harckham, Senate Print 2988 addresses grid resiliency and reliability concerns. Harckham argued that invasive vines hold water on wooden poles, causing rot that weakens them during severe weather. He cited his district's experience losing over 1,000 poles in a single weekend during storms, requiring weeks to rebuild the electrical grid. The bill requires pole owners to inspect and maintain poles every five years, holding them accountable for vegetation management on structures they own. Nineteen senators voted against the measure, including Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Martins, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik.