AUGUSTA – A legislative committee on Wednesday approved a bill that aims to increase consideration of public safety when building high-voltage transmission lines.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Linda Valentino, D-Saco, originally called for such lines in areas frequently used by children to be buried underground when “technologically feasible.”

In order to gain the support of the committee, the bill was replaced by an amendment that broadens the criteria to be considered by the Public Utilities Commission when evaluating applications for new lines.

The Utilities and Energy Committee voted unanimously to approve the revised bill.

Rep. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, who testified in support of the measure at the public hearing, said she was disappointed that the final version did not direct the PUC to consider the possible health effects of electromagnetic fields, which exist around high-voltage lines.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” Rotundo said Wednesday. “I am pleased that the language ‘proximity from inhabited dwellings’ was included in the amendment for consideration by the PUC. My goal is to ensure health and public safety for people living along these corridors.”

The bill will be scheduled for votes by the full Legislature in the coming weeks.

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