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I have just been informed that if you--as many of you as possible--will contact your legislator- Now/Very Soon, that it will be possible to get tree trimming legislation considered this session. This must be done ASAP to get the bill scheduled for a hearing!

Please email/call your Senator and/or Representative and ask them to ask their leadership to allow tree trimming legislation to be heard during the current legislative session. If you do not have contact information for your legislator go to: http://www.indianatreealliance.com/saveatree/  or http://wayeo.egis.39dn.com. Those sites will help you find them. You can also keep up with our progress at--  www.indianatreealliance.com

Our achievement this year with the Ruling of the IURC (which is being appealed by the utilities) needs to be complemented and supported by the kinds of changes in Indiana law listed below. If you prefer, you can simply forward this email to your legislators, but a personal note from a constituent may well carry more weight.

We have real momentum going for more reasonable tree trimming practices and respect for private property. PLEASE take a few minutes and be part of the solution.

PROPOSED UTILITY LEGISLATION

The following issues require legislative action and will, when passed, thereafter provide the  Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission the necessary tools and guidance to provide a more balanced oversight of the state's utilities.

Legislative Goals for 2011

1. Adopt wording from Illinois Law protecting private property.
2. Empower the IURC/OUCC, giving them dispute resolution powers and the ability to award damages when appropriate.
3. Ban the use of Prescriptive Easements by electric utilities.
4. Empower, and require, the IURC to review and approve new line routes, before they are installed, or upgraded.
5. Require electric utilities to allow customers to hire their choice of qualified tree trimming companies.
6. Consider options and benefits of burying electric lines
7. Reform the process of notifying the public of IURC Hearings.
8. Require full disclosure of Right of Way and Easement boundaries, with land use restrictions, at all real   estate sales.

Thank You,

Charles H Goodman and Jerry Baker
The Indiana Tree Alliance  
Contact:
Charlie - 317-356-2499, chfgoodman@gmail.com
Jerry - jerrybaker.indianatreealliance@gmail.com