[Vision2020] Avista & Trees

[Mike Deleve]

While I agree that underground lines are much more aesthetically pleasing,  It is far more expensive to bury the lines than overhead transmission. The technical aspects I am somewhat familiar with, but would have to reference the N.E.C. to be certain. When the transmission lines are overhead in the air, it requires a smaller gauge wire as the wire can shed the heat of resistance to the air more readily. That translates into big $$$$$. The size of wire we are talking here is not cheap. 4/0 4/0 2/0 (service entrance cable suitable for a 200 amp service panel) is nearly $3.00 per foot, I'm not certain what the feeder wire gauge is.  As for dependability of underground, when I lived on Concord Ave. in Moscow, it was an annual (at least) power failure due to the lines rotting away underground. Giant holes in the ground (in the front yard) to make the repairs. There are always tradeoffs.

Mike
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Donovan Arnold 
  To: Dan Carscallen ; 'Saundra Lund' ; 'Vision 2020' 
  Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 7:03 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Avista & Trees


  Buried lines are the way to go, less likely for power outage. Technology has advanced enough to where they know where the power goes out in an underground line. 

  Best,

  Donovan

  Dan Carscallen <areaman at moscow.com> wrote:
    Saundra writes in part:
    ". . . I thought I'd put the text here for discussion, comments,
    suggestions, etc."

    While I'd just as soon leave the trees, I'd not like to see Moscow end
    up in an emergency situation during a severe weather event that might
    cause trees to fall on power lines creating outages. 

    Those trees are real nice 'til they cut you out of power for a few days.
    Then they are the debbil.

    Buried power would be great, but in talking to a few Avista electricians
    I've learned that it has it's own drawbacks, not the least of which is
    finding where a line may be compromised underground.

    DC


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