UNDERGROUNDING OF WIRES
--A LONG TERM SOLUTION
This portion of the GCNH Trees and Power site is being revised and expanded.
Undergrounding of electric and communication distribution wires is a long term solution that would achieve greater reliability and resilience, at the same time preserving the numerous benefits of existing large trees within public rights-of-way and allowing for the planting of similar large trees where none exist or where a tree has become hazardous or diseased. Such preservation and planting of large trees is important to reducing carbon emissions for mitigation of climate change and for adaptation and resilience to cope with the effects of climate change. Past studies of the costs and benefits of undergrounding of electric distribution wires have not focused on climate change, nor have they addressed all of the benefits from and costs avoided by undergrounding of wires. GCNH favors planning for undergrounding of both electric and communication wires.
For information about the current electric distribution company infrastructure and to consider undergrounding in the context of other infrastructure options for reliability and resilience, see "Options Beyond Vegetation Management for Electric Distribution Reliability and Resiliency to Reduce the Frequency and Duration of Power Outages" (published July, 2021). It does not address financing or analyze costs and benefits.
For information about the current electric distribution company infrastructure and to consider undergrounding in the context of other infrastructure options for reliability and resilience, see "Options Beyond Vegetation Management for Electric Distribution Reliability and Resiliency to Reduce the Frequency and Duration of Power Outages" (published July, 2021). It does not address financing or analyze costs and benefits.