04-R 061

2004 -- H 7378

Enacted 02/05/04

H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION AND THE

NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC COMPANY TO FAVORABLY CONSIDER THOSE

PROPOSALS CONTAINING PROVISION FOR BURIAL OF THE E-183 TRANSMISSION LINE FROM FRANKLIN SQUARE IN PROVIDENCE TO BOLD POINT IN EAST PROVIDENCE

Introduced By: Representatives Savage, Rose, Dennigan, Coogan, and Moura

Date Introduced: January 29, 2004

     WHEREAS, The Department of Transportation's relocation of Route 195 necessitates the

removal of high voltage power lines that currently traverse India Point Park; and

     WHEREAS, Narragansett Electric proposes to reconstruct 6200 feet of the transmission

line (labeled the E-183 transmission line) running from Franklin Square in Providence to Bold

Point in East Providence; and

     WHEREAS, The existing E-183 transmission line was originally constructed in 1918 and

is being deconstructed prematurely due to the highway relocation project; and

     WHEREAS, The proposed replacement transmission facilities will likely be present

along the waterfronts of Providence and East Providence for the next century; and

     WHEREAS, The City of East Providence considers the waterfront along Bold Point a

significant resource in terms of future economic development activity for the city; and

     WHEREAS, The General Assembly created the East Providence Waterfront District

Commission in the 2003 legislative session, and said commission will have broad power to

condemn, acquire, lease and sell land along the waterfront; and

     WHEREAS, The city's waterfront has the potential to provide 300 acres of land for future

development, 3,000 to 4,000 jobs to the state's economy, create $2 billion dollars in new

construction through private investment, and create a major entertainment district, major office

and hi-tech industry, and high-end luxury housing; and

     WHEREAS, The presence of high voltage power lines through the area in question could

impede the city's redevelopment and could hinder the city's ability to attract public and private

investment; and

     WHEREAS, The City of East Providence has already secured federal and state backing

for $30 million dollars in highway funds in order to increase accessibility to the waterfront from

Route 195; and

     WHEREAS, In the area of the E-183 transmission line crossing, the city has plans to

create a central commons, a river walk, an entertainment pier, a marina and housing units; and

     WHEREAS, The presence of electromagnetic fields emanating from the E-183

transmission line could create concern among potential investors, developers and residents; and

     WHEREAS, The high voltage transmission lines serve the reliability of the entire state

and the region; and

     WHEREAS, The potential impact on the environment, economic development, existing

and future parks and public spaces along the waterfronts of Providence and East Providence could

be substantial; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby respectfully requests the Public Utilities Commission and the

Narragansett Electric Company to favorably consider those proposals containing provision for

burial of the E-183 transmission line from Franklin Square in Providence to Bold Point in East

Providence; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he is hereby authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Governor Donald Carcieri, the Public Utilities

Commission and the Narragansett Electric Company.

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LC01291

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