Underground Power Lines

[snopes]

Does anyone know if the city is doing anything in certain neighborhoods about removing the above ground power lines and putting them underground? We have some beautiful areas of our city that would be even more so if there was a concerted effort to remove this blight from the landscape. I don't even know if there is an organized effort to do this (anywhere), or who would be ultimately responsible (power company, city) but thought I'd ask. I mean, the darn poles aren't even straight most of the time and it looks gawdy. Maybe Tulsa could be the first city in the country of its size to make an effort such as this. It certainly would add to the aesthetic value.

[patric]

(most of this thread was deleted, so I guess we'll start all over again).

quote:Originally posted by Chicken Little Don't be afraid of the $1,000,000 a mile talk...the cost varies a lot.

Is it coincidence that the areas PSO has scheduled for Underground Conversions seems to somewhat coincide with Chris Medlock's map of certain influential midtowners?
 



Now see:

Charlane-Ranch Acres
Forrest Hills-Woodland

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by patric

(most of this thread was deleted, so I guess we'll start all over again).

quote:Originally posted by Chicken Little Don't be afraid of the $1,000,000 a mile talk...the cost varies a lot.

Is it coincidence that the areas PSO has scheduled for Underground Conversions seems to somewhat coincide with Chris Medlock's map of certain influential midtowners?
 



Now see:

Charlane-Ranch Acres
Forrest Hills-Woodland

Hate like hell to throw ice water on "I can be bought" Medlock's theory...
But have him explain just which people of influence influenced the "Skyline Ridge", on West Edison, to be one of the first Neighborhoods to have the conversion to underground done.?

PSO is handed a list by the City...
Medlock is just used to LaFatboy's way of doing things...

[Chicken Little]

I think that this is a tactic on the part of AEP/PSO.  They perceive this as a whiney, busy-body, rich-people's complaint.  Perhaps if they focus on a few fancy neighborhoods, the problem will go away.

I would contend that it is already a lot broader than that.  Many Tulsans realize that the costs are not as high as PSO claims (in fact, they are pretty reasonable), and the benefits make Tulsa safer and better for business.

Its time to start chipping away at this problem.

[PonderInc]

I don't care where they start, as long as they get started!  The PSO tree trimmers are butchers.  ("Asplaugh"...sounds like the choking noise that shocked people make when they come home and see the rape and devistation that this company inflicts upon beautiful old trees.) (Though I have to admit, neither my mom nor I have lost power since the butchers cut down all the big old trees in our neighborhoods!)

I thought there was a plan to begin systematically burying the powerlines...but PSO objected b/c the cost was too much?  I would think that it would pay off in the long-term, b/c eventually, you wouldn't have to pay tree trimmers OR overtime for employees to fix storm-damaged lines.  Question is...would the phone and cable people chip in to bury their equipment at the same time?...Seems like if all these folks would chip in, the cost would be less burdensome to all.

[patric]

quote:Originally posted by PonderInc

I thought there was a plan to begin systematically burying the powerlines...but PSO objected b/c the cost was too much?  I would think that it would pay off in the long-term, b/c eventually, you wouldn't have to pay tree trimmers OR overtime for employees to fix storm-damaged lines.  Question is...would the phone and cable people chip in to bury their equipment at the same time?...Seems like if all these folks would chip in, the cost would be less burdensome to all.

I suspect it boils down to the cost of undergrounding being borne by AEP investors, whereas the cost of rebuilding after a catastrophe is borne by the customers (and the city, to the tune of $500 per weatherhead that could have gone to police and fire salaries, pools in the summer, etc).

Add lost wages, deaths from fires and hypothermia, and a quarter million fridges full of spoiled Christmas dinner to the mammoth expense of hiring line repairmen from all corners of the US, and even inflated estimates at burying utilities start to look like a bargain.

[Oil Capital]

There is indeed a plan to systematically bury the power lines.  Ratepayers (ie., you and I) are bearing the cost through the base rate.   As some have mentioned previously in this thread, the plan has already begun and will proceed (except, I guess, for neighborhoods that foolishly choose to object and fight).

[Rico]

quote:Originally posted by Oil Capital

There is indeed a plan to systematically bury the power lines.  Ratepayers (ie., you and I) are bearing the cost through the base rate.   As some have mentioned previously in this thread, the plan has already begun and will proceed (except, I guess, for neighborhoods that foolishly choose to object and fight).

You are absolutely correct... There is a plan.

One thing unclear about the plan is the following.......

P.S.O./A.E.P checks with the City of Tulsa on an annual basis and is given "a list" of the neighborhoods to be done that year........

For example; "Mapleridge" and then "Brookside" etc.

Is there a method that the Tulsa version of the "deciderer" works with...? or is this another tool of influence that is pulled out of the bag...? possibly none of the above.
anyone know?

The recent Ice storm highlighted the need for certain areas to be done in a certain order.
We will see if this example is followed or given just the right amount of torque to create spin.

[Oil Capital]

quote:Originally posted by Rico

quote:Originally posted by Oil Capital

There is indeed a plan to systematically bury the power lines.  Ratepayers (ie., you and I) are bearing the cost through the base rate.   As some have mentioned previously in this thread, the plan has already begun and will proceed (except, I guess, for neighborhoods that foolishly choose to object and fight).

You are absolutely correct... There is a plan.

One thing unclear about the plan is the following.......

P.S.O./A.E.P checks with the City of Tulsa on an annual basis and is given "a list" of the neighborhoods to be done that year........

For example; "Mapleridge" and then "Brookside" etc.

Is there a method that the Tulsa version of the "deciderer" works with...? or is this another tool of influence that is pulled out of the bag...? possibly none of the above.
anyone know?

The recent Ice storm highlighted the need for certain areas to be done in a certain order.
We will see if this example is followed or given just the right amount of torque to create spin.

Selection criteria for conversion include:

-- inaccessibility of electrical facilities for maintenance and repair.
-- age of the PSO facilities
-- electric service reliability problems
-- terrain that is conducive to the installation of underground service (eg. an acceptable level of rockiness in the soil.)

Neighborhoods that have been done or are currently being done include:

-- Leisure Lanes (between 15th & 21st, east of Sheridan)
-- Bolewood Acres
-- Charlane Estates/Ranch Acres
-- Park Plaza North (51st & Sheridan)
-- Park Plaza South (61st & Sheridan)
-- Xyler Heights (East Apache & N Harvard)
-- Briarglen (near 41st & Garnet)