Activities relating to EMF occurred in several states through different agencies. State environmental or health agencies have reviewed the latest scientific research and/or issued policies. Activities have also included those of public utility commissions, grass roots organizations, or utility companies. This report merely provides a sampling of such activities, often noting the different policy approaches, and is not intended to be a comprehensive listing or imply a recommendation of any specific activity. Some states, including Maryland and Virginia , provide annual reports prepared by state agencies which monitor current research.
In late 1993, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) initiated the California EMF Research, Education, and Technical Assistance Program. The program was funded with $7 million contributed by the major California electrical utilities at the behest of the CPUC. The program is being overseen by the California Department of Health Services with assistance from the California Public Health Foundation, a non-profit organization. The core committee, which is composed of 12 members, has directed that emphasis be on community ownership of the program. The goal of the four-year program is to determine and implement a coherent approach to potential hazards from EMF exposure through the funding of research, analysis of existing policy, education, and technical assistance. Funding for research is granted through a Request- for-Proposals process and will be primarily directed to the following topics: exposure assessment, epidemiology, mitigation techniques, and policy analysis.
Pursuant to Public Act 94-176, the Connecticut Siting Council has been charged with investigating the comparative life-cycle cost of overhead and underground electric transmission lines. This investigation will address all relevant life-cycle costs of such transmission lines including their relative reliability, any constraints on access and construction, potential effects on the environment and compatibility with existing electric supply systems. A consultant will be chosen to assist the Siting Council through an open bidding process initiated December 1994 . As identified within this legislation, the qualified consultant cannot have performed work for any Connecticut-based utility within the last 12 months. The consultant will be assessing the electric and magnetic field levels for specific overhead and underground transmission line configurations in order to provide expected electric and magnetic field levels. A draft report will be available later in this calendar year.
The Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) issued a policy relating to electric and magnetic fields from power-frequency sources in January 1994 . Recommending a "prudent avoidance" policy, the HDOH noted that the existing research data on possible adverse health effects, including cancer, are inconclusive and not adequate to establish or quantify a health risk. HDOH defined "prudent avoidance" as reasonable, practical, simple, and relatively inexpensive actions that would reduce exposure to EMF.
HDOH will continue to collect and evaluate information on possible health hazards associated with EMF. In the event adequate data become available, HDOH will establish appropriate standards. This statement was a generic renewal of a similar policy issued in April 1991. In addition to monitoring and evaluating on-going research, HDOH's previous policy declared that all newly-installed power lines should be constructed with engineering controls to reduce exposure (using, for example, the delta configuration - see Section 9, Glossary.)
In response to a request from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy's Commission on Radiation Protection (CRP) the Advisory Committee on Non- Ionizing Radiation (ACNIR) is drafting EMF regulations for new or modified 100-kilovolt (kV) or greater transmission lines. The advisory committee includes members from four investor-owned utilities: Atlantic Electric, Jersey Central Power and Light Company, Public Service Electric & Gas, and Rockland Electric.
A copy of the draft regulations may be available to all interested parties by February 1995. After regulations are circulated for informal interested party review, they will be formally submitted to the Commission on Radiation Protection. If approved, the proposed regulations will be channeled through the regulatory hearing process.
At the request of the Board of Regents, the New York State Education Department formed an advisory committee to study indoor environmental hazards in schools. One of the potential agents identified is EMF exposure. The advisory committee requested that state agencies work cooperatively to implement their recommendations. One of the recommendations is for a series of eight one-day workshops to be held throughout the state which will offer educational information on indoor environmental hazards identified in the schools. These workshops are slated for Spring of 1995 and will be open to school administrators, teachers, parents, students, and other interested parties.
As reported in last year's report, in 1990 the New York State Attorney General's bureau had requested that a school measurement project for EMF be undertaken. It included 38 schools in the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation service territory. Actions by Niagara Mohawk were taken to reduce fields at five schools. The initial survey was expanded whereby the Attorney General asked six other investor-owned utilities and the New York Power Authority to follow a similar program scope with some additional stipulations . Results from the expanded school survey (79 schools) undertaken in 1993 were publicized by the State Attorney General's Office in June 1993. In response to the large public inquiry that ensued, the New York Department of Law developed an informational brochure, Electromagnetic Fields - What You Should Know .
The Eugene, Oregon Water and Electric Board (EWEB) developed a comprehensive policy regarding EMF with input from a Citizen's Advisory Committee (CAC). Despite having a proactive program in responding to customers' concerns about EMF, EWEB felt that there was clearly a need for the utility to develop an EMF policy.
A charter was compiled describing the committee's purpose and objectives which included education, policy evaluation criteria, review of existing policy, development of policy options, and the issuance of recommendations. The committee found the cost issue to be the most difficult and subsequently developed the following eight policy recommendations:
The CAC, which developed a concensus work plan using the above policy statements, will present it to EWEB early in 1995.
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), wholesaler of electricity to 33 cities and 11 electric cooperatives in central Texas, adopted an EMF policy on December 16, 1993. The EMF policy identified LCRA's position and proposed activities in light of the scientific uncertainty of health effects associated with EMF exposure. The policy also recognized that, in addition to scientific findings, the issue of "perceived risk" was of equal importance and pledged to be sensitive to those issues as well. The basic premise of the policy emphasized fostering unbiased and open communication with customers, employees, and the public.
LCRA's policy sought to balance EMF concerns with the demand for a reliable, low-cost electricity supply by taking the following actions:
LCRA policy involving transmission facility siting sought, wherever possible, to site facilities in areas least affected by EMF exposure, with particular consideration to schools, daycare facilities, hospitals, and other public facilities. In addition, LCRA will use reduced EMF transmission line designs whenever possible in planning new construction or upgrading existing transmission lines; will explore other mitigation measures; and will actively solicit public involvement and participation in the siting of new facilities.
In February 1993, a citizens' group, "Master Planning for Power Committee (MPPC)," was formed to oppose construction of a substation and a six-mile 138-kV transmission line that was proposed by the Utah Power and Light Company. The new construction was planned for Salt Lake County and Sandy City. Citizen concerns included possible lower property values, adverse health effects, and aesthetics.
In September 1993, the Interim Health and Environment Committee of the Utah Legislature heard arguments from utilities and MPPC and decided to obtain information and comments from several state and local agencies. The Utah Department of Health recommended that it would be premature to draw conclusions of adverse health effects from EMF as the science is still uncertain. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality submitted that while there are indications from continuing research, there is not sufficient evidence to justify legislation or regulation at this time. Approval for construction of the proposed substation and transmission line is still pending.