Electric Transmission
Gigapower’s Arizona fiber rollout linked to infrastructure damage, CWA report says
In Mesa, Arizona, where Gigapower began fiber deployment in early 2023, subcontractors have reportedly caused over 40 underground utility hits, including damages to electric, gas, water, and telecommunications lines, totaling more than $135,000 in repairs.
PG&E buries over 800 miles of powerlines in high wildfire-risk areas
(UI) — Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has undergrounded more than 800 miles of powerlines since launching its wildfire safety initiative in 2021.
NASA enlists Panhandle Power Solutions for $9.7 million transmission, distribution project at Kennedy Space Center
The awarded contract will involve the installation of 4.5 miles of both overhead (OH) and underground (UG) primary distribution lines, a crucial upgrade to the existing infrastructure at the preeminent launch complex for Government and commercial space access.
Virginia’s Loudoun County to weigh in on Dominion Energy’s transmission line plans
The State Corporation Commission (SCC) will hold a public hearing in Loudoun County on Sept. 5, to gather testimony on Dominion Energy Virginia’s proposed Aspen-Golden and Apollo-Twin Creeks electric transmission line projects.
PG&E resumes underground power line work in California’s Plumas County
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has resumed its efforts to bury power lines in Plumas County, California, after work was paused due to the Park Fire.
Utah’s Park City Council greenlights $7 million project to bury power lines in Bonanza Park
Park City is advancing its long-awaited initiative to bury power lines in the Bonanza Park area, paving the way for future development in the district.
Stantec to modernize Los Angeles underground electrical infrastructure in $104 million LADWP contract
Stantec has been awarded a $104 million contract by the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) to modernize underground electrical infrastructure as part of the city's efforts to enhance power reliability and support the transition to clean energy.
Eversource begins upgrade of outdated electric transmission infrastructure in central Connecticut
The series of upgrades will replace aging transmission infrastructure within the utility right of way with stronger steel structures, making the electric grid more resilient to increasing extreme weather caused by climate change.
NV5 awarded $7 million contract for Northern California electrical transmission undergrounding
NV5 Global Inc. has been awarded a one-year, $7 million contract to provide project oversight, testing, and inspection during the construction of a new 230 kilovolt underground transmission line in Northern California.
Xcel Energy updates $1.9 billion wildfire mitigation plan with undergrounding measures
Xcel Energy is making physical investments to reduce the risk of utility-caused wildfires. These measures include targeted undergrounding of power lines, line rebuilds, and non-expulsion upgrades in Tier 2 and Tier 3 risk areas.
Berkeley pushes PG&E to bury power lines to mitigate wildfire risk
Berkeley city officials are pressing Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) to include their city in a plan to underground 10,000 miles of power lines in regions with the highest fire danger, The Berkeley Scanner reported.
Wisconsin’s Menominee Tribe secures funding for underground power line project
FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program has allocated $872,894 to support the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin's underground power line conversion initiative.
Colorado Springs Utilities undertakes underground power line shift post-2021 windstorm
In Colorado Springs, efforts are underway by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) to relocate power lines underground after identifying susceptibility during a windstorm in 2021.
California regulators greenlight program to accelerate electric infrastructure undergrounding
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has introduced a new initiative aimed at accelerating the undergrounding of electric distribution infrastructure across the state. This program, mandated by Senate Bill (SB) 884, targets increased system resilience and climate adaptation.
Consumers Energy to bury electric lines in six Michigan counties
Consumers Energy has announced the approval of a targeted undergrounding pilot program by the Michigan Public Service Commission. With a $3.7 million investment, the company plans to bury 10 miles of overhead power lines within the next year.
I&M commences reconstruction of underground power line in Muncie, Ind.
Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) representatives plan to start construction next week to rebuild an aging underground power line along Tillotson Avenue in Muncie.
Underground electric cable replacement program in Geneva, Ill., to bolster service reliability
The city of Geneva, Illinois, is set to improve the reliability of its electric service by undertaking an underground cable replacement project slated to commence in March.
CenterPoint Energy sells Louisiana, Mississippi natural gas assets for $1.2 billion
CenterPoint Energy Inc. has announced the sale of its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas LDC businesses to Bernhard Capital Partners, a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm, for $1.2 billion.
Austin Energy's distribution system undergoes assessment for underground feasibility
Twin independent studies by engineering firm Burns & McDonnell will begin in March 2024 to assess the underground feasibility and overhead resiliency of Austin Energy’s distribution system.
New York State OKs $57.8 million underground transmission line linking Nanuet to West Nyack
The New York State Public Service Commission has greenlit a $57.8 million project to install a new underground transmission line spanning approximately five-and-one-half miles between the Burns substation and the West Nyack Substation in the town of Clarkstown, New York.
OPALCO invests in underground power lines project in Washington's Doe Bay area
OPALCO has commenced a project to relocate overhead power lines to an underground system, covering the (temporary) Doe Bay bridge to the Eagle Lake intersection in Washington.
DOE awards $34 million for advancing underground power line technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $34 million for 12 projects across 11 states to strengthen and modernize America’s aging power grid through the development of cost-effective, high-speed, and safe undergrounding technologies.
Greenville, S.C., residents eligible for $3,000 power line burial support from Duke Energy
In a collaborative effort, Duke Energy and Greenville, S.C. introduced the POWER ON initiative, aiming to assist homeowners in burying their power lines and ensuring a reliable energy supply.
PG&E hits milestone with 600 miles of underground powerlines, reducing wildfire risk for 20 counties
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has constructed and energized more than 600 miles of underground powerlines since its ambitious 10,000-mile undergrounding program started in mid-2021, the company announced on Dec. 20.
ABB to support electrical utility sector with new U.S. manufacturing facility
ABB Installation Products broke ground on its new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to meet increased demand for ABB’s leading Elastimold cable accessory solutions used to improve grid-hardening through cable undergrounding to help power millions of homes, businesses and communities.
San Diego's North Park neighborhood celebrates undergrounding of power lines
(UI) — The North Park neighborhood in San Diego, Calif., recently celebrated a significant milestone as it witnessed the removal of overhead power lines from their community.
Oregon power company to pay nearly $300 million to settle latest lawsuit over 2020 wildfires
Electricity utility PacifiCorp will pay $299 million to settle a lawsuit brought by about 220 customers who were harmed by devastating wildfires in southern Oregon in 2020.
New York Transco's $1.4 billion power line plan receives state nod
(UI) — New York Transco has received the green light from New York State's utilities regulator on Thursday for three transmission projects. As part of this comprehensive project, the developer plans to introduce three new underground cables linking Long Island to the broader state.
Prysmian secures $955 million deal for one of the largest transmission infrastructure projects in U.S.
Under the terms of the agreement, Prysmian Group will be responsible for the design, manufacture, construction, installation, and commissioning of Clean Path New York’s HVDC (high-voltage direct current) 400 KV single core cable system with XLPE insulation.
PG&E plan to bury power lines underground met with opposition due to high rates
The company's plan to bury 2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers) of power lines is part of a broader goal of putting 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) underground over the next decade.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Lynchburg, Va., breaks ground on largest-ever Blackwater CSO tunnel project
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- The EPA announces $6.2 billion in funding for Iowa and Kansas water infrastructure