Missouri Commission Wants Power Over Underground Line

Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri Public Service Commission wants to take over enforcement of the state's laws designed to protect underground utility lines.

Currently, the State Attorney General's office has the authority to go after people or companies that damage underground power or natural gas lines. The PSC's Natelle Dietrich says it makes sense for the commission to have that authority.

Dietrich: "We have the Gas Safety Department, which regularly deals with issues related to hits and that type of thing we also have the ability to impose sanctions, so to speak; go to the courts to impose penalties, and so that framework we already have in place."

Legislation would be required to transfer enforcement authority. A spokesperson for Attorney General Chris Koster says they're evaluating the proposal.