[BC] Power transmission methodologies

[Jerry Mathis]

I'm not Chris, but I have a comment.

When Katrina came up through Mississippi, lots of power lines were down.
Representatives of the two electric companies in the area (Mississippi Power
Co. and EMEPA [East Mississippi Electric Power Association]) had
representatives daily in our studios in Meridian MS. This question was
asked, and their reply was that it costs MUCH more to put power lines
underground, and takes a lot longer as well. They said they could rebuild
the above-ground physical plant numerous times for what it would cost to put
it all underground.

JM


On 2/27/07, Dave Dunsmoor <mrfixit at min.midco.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> 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
>