PURPOSE: This amendment changes the edition of the National Electrical Safety Code that the Public Service Commission adopts for the minimum safety standards applicable to electrical corporations, telecommunications companies, and rural electric cooperatives, and clarifies that the new standards apply only to new installations and extensions.
(1) The minimum safety standards relating to the operation of electrical corporations, telecommunications companies, and rural electric cooperatives are Parts 1, 2, and 3 and Sections 1, 2, and 9 of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC); 2023 Edition, as approved by the American National Standards Institute on August 1, 2022, and published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., 3 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10016-5997. The NESC is composed of four (4) different parts and four (4) sections, each of which pertain to different aspects of the electric and telecommunications industries. Part 1 specifies rules for the installation and maintenance of equipment normally found in electric generating plants and substations. Part 2 pertains to safety rules for overhead electric and communication lines. Part 3 contains safety rules for underground electric and communication lines. Section 1 is an introduction to the NESC, Section 2 defines special terms, and Section 9 requires certain grounding methods for electric and communications facilities. The full text of this material is available at the Industrial Analysis Division - Engineering Analysis Department of the Public Service Commission, Suite 700, 200 Madison, Jefferson City, Missouri. This rule does not incorporate any subsequent amendments or additions.(2) Electrical corporations, telecommunications companies, and rural electric cooperatives subject to regulation by this commission pursuant to Chapters 386, 392-394, RSMo shall comply with the safety standards established by this rule for new installations and extensions as described in the NESC.(3) Incident reporting requirements for electrical corporations and rural electric cooperatives are found in 4 CSR 240-3.190(4).(4) Those who excavate near underground facilities or conduct activities within ten feet (10') of overhead power lines are required to notify area utilities prior to engaging in such action, pursuant to the Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act, section 319.010, RSMo, and the Overhead Power Line Safety Act, section 319.075, RSMo.AUTHORITY: sections 386.310 and 394.160, RSMo 2016.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 240-18.010. Original rule filed March 15, 1978, effective Oct. 2, 1978. Amended: Filed April 8, 1981, effective Oct. 15, 1981. Amended: Filed Feb. 9, 1984, effective June 15, 1984. Amended: Filed June 12, 1987, effective Sept. 15, 1987. Amended: Filed Jan. 5, 1990, effective April 13, 1990. Amended: Filed March 23, 1993, effective Oct. 10, 1993. Amended: Filed Aug. 27, 1999, effective Feb. 29, 2000. Amended: Filed Oct. 14, 2003, effective April 30, 2004. Amended: Filed May 2, 2008, effective Nov. 30, 2008. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 2013, effective Feb. 28, 2014. Amended: Filed July 27, 2017, effective Feb. 28, 2018. Moved to 20 CSR 4240-18.010, effective Aug. 28, 2019.Amended by Missouri Register October 16, 2023/volume 48, Number 20, effective 11/30/2023.*Original authority: 386.310, RSMo 1939, amended 1979, 1989, 1996 and 394.160, RSMo 1939, amended 1979.