Underground transmission lines; qualifying projects, pilot program.

Pilot program for underground transmission lines; qualifying projects. Increases the maximum capacity of qualifying electrical transmission lines, for purposes of the pilot projectfor underground transmission lines, from 230 kilovolts to 500 kilovolts.The bill provides that the State Corporation Commission shall approveadditional qualifying projects as part of the pilot program thattraverse along highways in developed areas where the route of proposedtransmission lines and towers traverse areas protected by a sceniceasement, view shed easement, areas of registered historic designation,or areas of conservation easements. Under the bill, existing requirementsfor qualifying projects shall continue to apply to such new categoryof qualifying projects.