Work continues on state rules for submersible pumps

Submersible well pumps have historically been employed in Idaho’s lakes, rivers, ponds and streams for irrigation and other purposes. Recently it was discovered that use of such pumps is not adequately covered by the National Electric Code, adopted as Idaho’s electrical code by the Idaho Electrical Board and the Legislature.

The 2016 Idaho Legislature passed House Bill 643, temporarily removing three sections of the NEC from Idaho’s adoption of the code and directing the Division of Building Safety to create rules governing the use, inspection and safety of the pumps. The legislation has a sunset date of two years to allow industry and regulators a chance to work collaboratively toward a solution.

Shortly after the Legislature adjourned, a collaborative was formed at the direction of DBS. This group includes representatives from various factions of industry, the Idaho Department of Lands, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, various homeowner and realtor associations and DBS.

At its initial meeting on April 14, the collaborative group elected Tom Bangle of Sandpoint Pump and Power as chairman. Two additional meetings have since taken place. Although a majority of attendees participated from the Coeur d’Alene office of DBS, other stakeholders participated by video conference at DBS offices in Meridian and Pocatello.

The collaborative group has addressed primarily technical issues related to the use of submersible well pumps in open bodies of water. It is working to finalize recommendations for the Idaho Electrical Board to consider when it next meets on July 21. Additional collaborative meetings have been scheduled for today and, if needed, on June 8.

All meetings will be video-conferenced between Coeur d’Alene, Meridian and Pocatello and are open to the public. In North Idaho, the video conference will begin at 9 a.m. at the Coeur d’Alene office of the Idaho Division of Building Safety, 1250 Ironwood Dr., Suite 220.

Once given the collaborative’s suggested rule changes at their next meeting, members of the Idaho Electrical Board will accept or reject the suggested changes or any part thereof. Proposed rule changes accepted by the Board will then proceed to negotiated rulemaking, of which public meetings are a critical component. Recommendations resulting from the negotiated rulemaking process will be presented to the 2017 Idaho Legislature.