NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1971 SESSION

CHAPTER 297

SENATE BILL 276

AN ACT EXCLUDING FROM RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS ELECTRIC GENERATING PLANTS DEVOTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE BECAUSE OF THEIR SPECIAL NATURE.

Whereas, electric generating plants which provide electricity to the public are very large and vital installations which must be kept in service at all times, and thus, by their nature have their own complete fire protection systems; and

Whereas, the very high electric voltages carried in the generators, transformers, lines and facilities associated with such electric generating plants make it extremely hazardous for any but specially trained personnel to fight fires in or about such plants, and rural fire departments should not be expected to have such training and should not, therefore, be subjected to such hazards;

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1.  Article 3A of Chapter 69 of the General Statutes of North Carolina is hereby amended by adding a new section at the end thereof as follows:

"§ 69-25.16.  Exclusion from rural fire protection districts. — There shall be excluded from any rural fire protection district, and the provisions of this Article shall not apply to, an electric generating plant, together with associated land and facilities, which provides electricity to the public; provided that this section shall not apply to any rural fire protection district in existence on May 1, 1971."

Sec. 2.  All law and clauses of laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed.

Sec. 3.  This act shall become effective upon its ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 5th day of May, 1971.