Editor ––
The article on power is important. One problem with SPI is a lot of the secondary distribution is not street-side. It is behind the homes/condos in utility easements that have built privacy fences since the secondary distribution was run.
It is challenging for the utility company to access some areas. It's like in days of old 'alleys' may have been contemplated, but that thought has long since gone away.
Relocating distribution to the streets may be impossible in many areas of SPI.
SPIGC in Laguna Vista has all secondary and much of the primary buried.
Thank you for an excellent article.
Don Hoehne
Editor's note: Don, if SPI decided to do it, every yard with overhead lines would need a small trench from the transformer to the house. That is why there are easements.
Editor –
The city power structure, "Above power lines vs. Underground power lines." The answer to "cost" is accurate; otherwise, all cities and towns would do it. When we think of the ugly power lines, we believe this is a way of life and ignore it.
It is accurate to say why the cost is so much more, including the power transmission lines carrying electrical current. Above power lines (wire conductors) are typically 10, 12 AWG in size (thickness).
Suppose you attempt to put these conductors (power lines) underground. In that case, you will have to increase the size of the conductor dramatically to carry the same current. That = a 10-fold cost increase. Check that out for accuracy.
Vic Sprencher
Editor's note: Vic, aesthetics is a critical issue, but so is resilience after storms. As the engineers told me when I asked them about burying the lines, "You are asking the wrong question." The firms we contacted in Texas and Florida gave us the 4X figure. They also said, "Dig up the streets once every 20 years, but first, the entire community needs to determine if they want a resilient and beautiful community."
Editor –
I just wanted to say I appreciate the in-depth reporting on this topic, and I look forward to more on this topic and this type of reporting.
Sometimes reading these, there's a lot of fluff, but this one I will be discussing this one with everyone on the SPI!
Brunhilde "Bee" Bauer
Editor's note: Bee, constructive criticism noted!
