[BC] Power transmission methodologies

[Robert Meuser]

Dave:

I think the difference is that most underground power distribution 
systems are in newer construction - areas developed since the late 60s. 
Such construction is relatively easy. Normally a single trench is dug. 
Sewer goes on the bottom, then water, then power and the cable and 
telephone. The cost of the trenching is divided among all the users. 
These areas were usually developed from scratch and the trenchs, 
foundations and road bed basically all created at the same time.  This 
is very much different than going into a developed area and digging up 
streets and yards and punching holes through foundations to deliver the 
service. Also, in many instances there is no right of way fee.

As other have pointed out, this does not generally apply to higher 
voltage distribution. That makes it possible for voltages about about 15 
KV and below 100 KV to be on typical wood poles which still come down in 
a storm.  Higher voltages are on steel tower which you do not see taken 
out by storms as often.

R



Dave Dunsmoor wrote:

>>>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.
>>>      
>>>
>>Underground costs the utility ten to fourteen times the cost of overhead,
>>per unit length.
>>    
>>
>
>
>Well, my point (question?) is that it seems to me that being that there is
>buried power
>some places, and not others (in the same county, same state), that it would
>make real
>good sense to bury it all. Yes, up front costs might be higher, although I
>don't immediately
>see how it could be much more than all the labor and pole costs per mile to
>run a plow.
>
>But the point is, then it only has to be done once. In my many years of
>being concerned about
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