[BC] Power transmission methodologies

[Glen Kippel]

It's been a number of years since I've had to price a power run, but ISTR
that PG&E was charging about $10 a foot overhead and somewhat more than that
to underground lines.  I'm sure it's much more now.  There were at the time
private firms that could do it for less, but they preferred to do whole
subdivisions and weren't much interested in a small job of a mile or so.
Around here, all new construction is required to be underground.
Fortunately it's mostly all sand and very few rocks.

On 2/27/07, Dave Dunsmoor <mrfixit at min.midco.net> wrote:
>
> > Speaking as someone who works in the electric utility
> > industry and lurks on this list,  I have to defend the
> > public power business.
> >
> > We spend lots of time and money not only meeting the
> > increased environmental regulations (that the public wants)
> > but also meeting our uptime goals... keeping the lights
> > ...
> > Chris Howard
>
>
>
> Chris, could you speak to the issue of burying (on not) utility lines
> instead of continually putting poles up again, and again, and again?
>
> This is something that has puzzled/bothered me for a long time and
> I've never received what I consider a satisfactory answer from any
> of the electrical folks that I posed this question to.
>
> Current example is the aftermath of the snowstorm that waltzed
> through the Midwest last week. I've always wondered what on earth
> would make someone want to place power lines up in the air when
> they could be safely buried, and stay there, Snow, ice and wind would
> have no effect forever.
>
> Is this a lineman's union kind of thing, a "we've always done it this way"
> kind of thing, what?
>
> I (think I) seem to recall someone on this list from overseas once
> commenting on the antique ways we have of running power over hear.
> Truthfully, it reminds me of 1890's New York with all the poles and
> lines running everywhere. I would think we really could do better by now.
>
> Thanks in advance for your insight(s). I'm sure there are many here who
> would be interested in a discussion on this topic.
>
> Dave Dunsmoor
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