There are millions of miles of electrical cables strung overhead across the country. Add to that millions more of telephone and cable/data lines, and it’s no wonder that extreme weather can wreak havoc on everyday systems each year, causing utility outages that can last days, weeks and longer. Power outages over extended periods of time can present health and safety concerns as well as economic losses. In the aftermath of extreme weather that can cause downed lines, there is concern expressed by the public, government and the media that it's time to put overhead utilities underground.

For utility companies, undergrounding provides benefits through reduced operational and maintenance cost, reduced cost related to tree trimming, reduced losses after customers lose power after storms and reduced liability. Underground electrical lines can also prevent fires due to downed overhead lines in high-fire hazard zones and potentially prevent the loss of life and property. When power lines go down, if they cross a roadway, police and fire crews are prohibited from crossing the lines until they can be assured that the lines are not energized. This can cause significant disruption in public safety response times. 

Can it be done? Who pays?

Converting overhead lines to underground is not always simple and rarely is it inexpensive. The cost for paying for undergrounding utilities is typically borne by the residents who will most benefit from these efforts. Absent the recent allocation of funds for high-fire hazard zones, utility companies typically will not pay for undergrounding utilities in a completely residential neighborhood. California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20B allows for property owners to underground utilities at their expense. Rule 20B projects are not funded by the utility companies. Historically, through rulemaking at the State level, utility companies have been exempt from undergrounding existing utilities. Since they are not mandated to do so, they simply do not. The Town does not have the financial resources to underground the existing overhead utilities. PG&E used to assist local agencies in sponsoring such districts through Rule 20A funds; but these funds have been reallocated by PG&E to high-fire zones and the Town no longer has access to those funds. The cost to underground about 1 linear foot varies but can be expected to cost between $3,000 to $5,000 per lineal foot.