HomeMy WebLinkAbout9 District underground policyTDPUD STAFF REPORT
September 2, 1994
TO: Board of Directors
FROM: Bob Quinn, Electric Superintendent
SUBJECT. District underground policy
AGENDA # 9
There is, within the community, a growing concern regarding the proliferation of power poles and
related overhead facilities. As the general public becomes more aware of technologies available
to electric utilities and more aware of perceived inherent risks of overhead facilities (EMF,
outages, aesthetics, etc.), there are increased demands on the utility to place facilities
underground. One has only to compare the Tahoe Donner subdivision with Northstar to see the
aesthetic impact of overhead versus underground. We have seen an expressed interest in the
Tahoe Donner area to place lines underground at the time Southwest Gas expands into the area.
While 1 believe rebuilding Tahoe Donner would not be practical from a monetary standpoint, 1 do
feel a policy should be initiated to mandate all new construction and ,alYthat all rebuilds be placed
underground wherever practical.
Several incidents within the community have lent credence to having an underground system. 1
am referring to the Hirschdale fire caused by falling a tree across power lines and a meeting
where representatives from the Tahoe Donner Association and the Town of Truckee expressed
a desire to see such a policy implemented. Neighboring utilities have such a policy in place, and
the community and the TDPUD would benefit from the adoption of this proposal be reduced
liabilities, reduced maintenance costs and reduced outages. Aesthetically pleasing and impervious
to weather, an underground system increases property values and is much more reliable than an
overhead system.
After meeting with the TDPUD Board members of the Electric Committee, I am at this time
recommending to the full TDPUD Board acceptance of an underground policy mandating all new
construction and rebuilds be placed underground.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the Board adopt the three resolutions which, taken together, implement
a policy in favor of underground electric facilities for new or rebuild construction. The
three resolutions are individually entitled:
a) A resolution amending Electric Application for Service Policy,
Title 7, Chapter 7.12.
b) A resolution amending Electric System Construction
Standards, Title 7, Chapter 7.48.
c) A resolution amending the Electric Service Connection Policy,
Title 7, Chapter 7.56.
PLH/smc
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