Since we began to settle the West, we’ve simply put up with the eye sore power lines that streak across otherwise untouched vistas. Of course it’s been a necessary evil to provide power to rural areas, but times are changing. The Utah structured cabling network runs almost exclusively underground. New power generating technologies mean some outlying areas may be able to supply their own electricity.
There are other benefits to underground power lines besides aesthetics. They are immune to severe weather that can damage overhead lines. Think about the wind and freezing cold in Utah, not to mention lightning. Underground lines are out of the way of low flying aircraft, wildlife, and people on the ground. Burying lines greatly diminishes the electromagnetic fields power lines emit and the health problems they create. For electricity providers, underground lines reduce the ease of illegal connection.
So why haven’t we long since converted to underground lines? There are some good reasons that have traditionally been cited. But new technology and complementary interests, such as extending Utah data cabling infrastructure, make burying power lines a more viable option today.
One limiting factor to undergrounding power is the cost. Running wire above ground has been much cheaper. But much of that cost can be mitigated if power lines are installed along with the Utah structured cabling that is being laid all over the state. The biggest obstacle to this now is simply that it’s not the way things have always been done.
Another barrier to underground lines is that they take much longer to repair than overhead lines. In addition, underground lines need to be shut down for repair. Again, maybe Utah power providers can learn something from Utah data cabling maintenance. They seem to be able to keep lines up just fine. It seems likely that we could apply current technology to work around sections of cable being repaired.
The truth is the main reason power companies haven’t developed the means to bury power lines more economically and efficiently is that their constituents haven’t demanded it. Most power companies operate as state sponsored monopolies, which means there is no competition to drive innovation. If power consumers want power lines buried, we are going to have to pressure companies to start doing it.
Niels Fugal Sons Co.
1005 S. Main
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
(888) 785-3152