Why oh why not bury power lines underground?

[Hemlock140]

Our power lines are underground, and while we only had 3 brief momentary outages this storm we have a generator due to the frequency of outages here.
Well worth the $300 or so I spent on the generator to have heat, light, and save the food in the refrigerator and freezer. The problem is that the power to the developments has to come up the hills to the plateau on overhead lines, and there are a lot of trees on Sahalee and the other main roads. Just part of life here, to always have flashlights, a gas fireplace, generator, gas, and batteries on hand.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Gardyloo

Would it were that simple. You have to create secure raceways for the lines, pedestals for the transformers, and every property owner has to pay for the costs of bringing the service lines to the riser, strike and meter, typically a couple thousand or more dollars per case. The utility won't pay for it, homeowners won't pay for it, and everybody has to join or nobody gets the service. And then you have to install permanent signage to make sure some nincompoop doesn't dig a fencepost footing and fry himself in the process.

In addition, the electrical code in many areas requires houses to be brought up to current code if house service is transitioned from overhead to underground lines.


That may not be an issue in newer houses (although the code changes every couple years or so) but it would be a major issue with older ones.

[josie13]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Our power lines are underground, and while we only had 3 brief momentary outages this storm we have a generator due to the frequency of outages here.
Well worth the $300 or so I spent on the generator to have heat, light, and save the food in the refrigerator and freezer. The problem is that the power to the developments has to come up the hills to the plateau on overhead lines, and there are a lot of trees on Sahalee and the other main roads. Just part of life here, to always have flashlights, a gas fireplace, generator, gas, and batteries on hand.

I guess I should look at generators again. To get what my neighbors have, a generator that kicks in when the power goes out and powers everything, I was quoted thousands of dollars, not hundreds. But I think that is installed and integrated into the whole electrical system.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by North Beach Person

Cost.


I don't know what it is out there but here in Maryland it's $1000/foot when all the costs are loaded in. That comes from ratepayers.

How can much poorer countries do it? Why is cost always an excuse for the "richest country in the world"?

[PollyGlott]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

How can much poorer countries do it? Why is cost always an excuse for the "richest country in the world"?

That's the point: our cost of living is high, which means salaries, machinery, materials, planning - all of those costs are higher than in "much poorer countries".

[BellevueNative]

I don't think it's as expensive if it's done from the start. Mill Creek, for instance, per city code mandates all neighborhoods in the city limits must have underground utilities. But it's a whole 'nother matter when it comes to making the switch from above-ground to buried. Then you're talking about digging up dirt and concrete, removing trees, re-paving, etc. not to mention the inconvenience. The cost and inconvenience isn't worth it to most people if you're talking about losing power for part of a day or a couple days at most per year.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by josie13

I guess I should look at generators again. To get what my neighbors have, a generator that kicks in when the power goes out and powers everything, I was quoted thousands of dollars, not hundreds. But I think that is installed and integrated into the whole electrical system.

I don't think we have enough outages of any length to justify that kind of expense. I take my 6000 watt out next to the garage, run two heavy gauge extension cords, one to the gas furnace for the fan and igniter, the other to a splitter inside that goes to a lamp and either the refrigerator or freezer, alternating every hour or so. With a gas stove there is no oven use but the top can be lit with a match, and the gas grill in the patio can be used as an oven.

[North Beach Person]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

How can much poorer countries do it? Why is cost always an excuse for the "richest country in the world"?

Start writing that check.


"Much poorer" countries don't do it.


Tree caused outages are usually caused by a lack of trimming back from the lines. Sometimes that's because it's gotten away from the utility and sometimes because of injunctions filed by various environmental groups.

[StealthRabbit]

Most new 'service lines' are placed underground. Above ground is much cheaper for 'transmission lines' (high magnetic field and special shielding / insulation and rocks and water, makes underground 'transmission lines' quite expensive.) Pedastals get hit by cars / trees, so... Power outages are still possible.


Integrated auto-switch genset back-up for main service is very expensive. A simple remote genset running cords is far cheaper. Be sure to NEVER backfeed into your panel / service!!!! Repairman down stream could be killed.

I am in a very rough climate area of WA and have seldom needed a back-up genset during last 25 yrs. I choose to go without the expense /maint, and hassle. My 12k welder is also a genset, but would drink a lot of gas as a backup. I will use my tractor pto if I ever need a genset.