[Vision2020] Avista & Trees

[Bev Bafus]

There's more to the trimming and cutting of trees around power lines than
the fear of power failures.  The power company in the Blue Mountains area is
being sued right now for causing the massive School Fire.  The Hangman Creek
fire in Spokane in the 90's was caused by power lines in trees.  Most power
companies are scared to death of being sued for loss of property or life
because of a wildfire.

I cried when the ponderosa pine trees were butchered on Highway 8 heading
into Troy.  Instead of cutting them down, the power company shaved off the
side.  They looked ridiculous, and succumbed to stress diseases over the
years.  It would have been kinder to cut them down.

So, bottom line... don't plant trees near power lines.  And be grateful
every time you turn the switch on, that our power is as affordable as it is.

And pray for the folks in South Lake Tahoe, California.  Over 200 homes have
burned down.  Let's hope it never happens here.

Bev
  -----Original Message-----
  From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]On Behalf Of Mike Deleve
  Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 7:31 PM
  To: Donovan Arnold; Dan Carscallen; 'Saundra Lund'; 'Vision 2020'
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Avista & Trees


  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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