Monday, 9 July 2012

[WardFive] Re: [Brookland] One Comment on Underground Wires

I agree with Hugh.  However in the years to come, I expect the weather will become more unpredictable and harsh as global warming occurs.  I would think that since we are no longer approaching putting lines above ground, that Undergrounding Wires are a better choice.  In saying so, I would hope that the intellects at Pepco and our Govt. would realize that Above Ground Wires are a thing of the past and that we should have already have been retrofitting this outdated system.  In addition, we would not have to be always concerned about trimming trees and the expense that comes with that.  There are also trees that could fall at anytime that are on private property that the angle when falling would cause issues.
 
To focus on these few statements, 
 
a.  "You may keep power in more storms" - sounds like a reason to underground.
 
b.  "but when it goes out, it will stay out for longer" - sounds like a focus on having the proper tecnician availability or replacement fuse. What are the reasons that underground power would go out in a wind storm.  Seems like a power surge coming from somewhere or some flaw in the system that at this point in life, one could figure out. Hard to think that we are going to be concerned about a broken wire or post replacement or even tree removal for repair to occur.
c. "There are other reasons pro and con for undergrounding vs. not undergrounding".  Can you give the list of Pros and Cons, there are a number of studies, surveys, etc available to educate us on the costs, benefits, downsides, etc.   and let's make an informed decision / argument to pepco?  Seems like this is your familiar terrority and playground/expertise!
 

Rob Ramson
On Mon, Jul 9, 2012 at 11:31 AM, dcdonutlovers <dcdonutlovers@gmail.com> wrote:
 

Good morning all,

I am not injecting on own opinion about whether or not the power lines should be put underground. I have my own personal thoughts, but due to the nature of my job, I'll keep them to myself so I'm not taken out of contect. I did, however, want to make the following point:

When power lines are underground if service is disrupted, it does take longer to restore power due to the need for access.

This is the classic risk and reward scenario. You may keep power in more storms, but when it goes out, it will stay out for longer.

There are other reasons pro and con for undergrounding vs. not undergrounding. The storm of last week should not sway you either way since the storms intensity and suddenness, you can't theorize what would have happened.

For those on either side of the issue, there are a number of studies, surveys, etc available to you to educate yourself on the costs, benefits, downsides, etc.

On this listserv I have seen a lot of rhetoric, but simply based on the writers opinion and not fact or analysis. There are a lot of moving pieces in terms of undergrounding, so it's not as simple as saying do it.

The post article is a good one because it shows that there isn't simply a good or bad or right or wrong, but it is fuzzy.

Lastly, for those advocating a change in Pepco ownership structure, instead of fighting for a cooperative, check out a Municipal owned-utility. Seattle Power & Light is a good example.

-Dee on 12th

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--
R. Ramson
3744 12th Street, N.E.,
Washington D.C., 20017
202-438-5988

"We must become the change we want to see" - Mohandas Gandhi-
(Together, for a Brighter Tomorrow)




 


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