Debating Overground Versus Underground Power Lines
What’s better, overground or underground power lines? That’s the question I’m posing today, and like many things in life, the answer is not particularly straight-forward. Both undergrounding and overgrounding have pros and cons, so the decision really comes down to utility-specific preferences.
Pros and Cons of Overground and Underground Lines
Generally speaking, underground power lines tend to be more insulated from the impact of things like falling trees, wind, ice and forest fires, but burying lines can be complex and expensive.
For example, according to Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), the areas within its service territory that are usually hardest hit during severe weather are the areas where undergrounding the lines would be most difficult. The reason is that these areas tend to be older neighborhoods which means going into backyards that have mature landscaping and other obstacles. It can also harm the root system of mature trees.
Aside from the cost and potential complexity, another downside is that, contrary to what most people would probably believe, undergrounding would not necessarily result in the elimination of the poles. Companies from other utility sectors like telecom and cable also utilize those same poles in many cases, so oftentimes they would need to stay. Because most people probably assume that undergrounding would result in the removal of the poles as well, they may be in for a rude awaking which could end up dinging the company’s reputation.
Yet another downside of underground lines is that repairing them is more expensive and time consuming than repairing overground lines.
With all that being said, underground power lines are more reliable because they are less prone to damage, and in rural areas the installation cost is lower compared to mature suburban areas. And maintenance costs, as opposed to repair costs, tend to be lower.
So, are underground or overground lines better? Well, it depends, which is why OPPD evaluates each potential undergrounding project on a case-by-case basis to determine the best approach.
