Senate considers bill to protect utilities from pesticide liability

A bill introduced in the Alaska Senate this month could protect local utility providers from liability associated with soil contamination.

The bill, called SB 173, would protect power companies that use pesticides on wooden power poles.

Darren Belisle, manager of power operations for Upper Lynn Canal for Alaska Power & Telephone, said the company owns over 1,100 Douglas fir poles in the Haines Borough pre-treated with a common pesticide called penta or PCP, short for…