California city completes major Foothills utility undergrounding project
(UI) — The City of Palo Alto Utilities is nearing completion of a multiyear effort to underground overhead electric and communications infrastructure in the city’s Foothills area, a state-designated high fire threat zone, as part of a broader wildfire mitigation strategy.
The project, which falls under CPAU’s Utilities Wildfire Mitigation Plan, focuses on neighborhoods most vulnerable to wind-driven fires and damage from overhead power lines. Utility officials say relocating infrastructure underground significantly reduces the risk of electrical equipment igniting wildfires during extreme weather conditions while also improving service reliability.
“The Foothills face some of the greatest wildfire risks in our community,” said Alan Kurotori, Utilities Director. “This undergrounding effort will not only make our system safer but also improve service reliability for customers in this forested area at high elevation.”
Work on the Foothills utilities undergrounding project includes placing approximately nine miles of overhead electric distribution lines and utility-owned fiber optic cable underground. Crews have constructed new substructures, installed conduits and pad-mounted equipment, and placed underground high-voltage electric and fiber-optic lines. The project also involves removing overhead poles, conductors, legacy fiber lines and other pole-mounted equipment.
The total project cost is approximately $11 million.
Initial planning began in 2021. CPAU has completed removal of overhead electric lines and fiber optic cables in the project area, with crews now focused on removing remaining wooden poles and completing final underground installations. The project is scheduled for completion by June 2026.
CPAU’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan outlines emergency preparedness, response procedures and public outreach for the Foothills area.
“Undergrounding utilities in the Foothills has been a priority for us to mitigate against the risk of wildfire caused by electrical equipment,” Kurotori said.
City officials said support from the Palo Alto City Council and Utilities Advisory Commission was critical to advancing the project, citing both public safety benefits and reduced exposure to wildfire-related liability.
“This is a critical investment in our city’s safety and resilience,” said Mayor Ed Lauing. “By taking steps now to underground lines in high-risk zones, we’re protecting our residents, homes, and open spaces for decades to come.”
The California Wildfire Safety Advisory Board recently reviewed utility wildfire mitigation plans statewide and commended CPAU for reducing wildfire risk through undergrounding in high fire threat districts. The board also recognized CPAU’s use of an AI-based sensor network to monitor air quality, temperature and chemical indicators for early wildfire detection, noting the technology is not widely used by public or investor-owned utilities.
Ahead of construction, CPAU regularly communicated with Foothills customers about wildfire risks and the potential for Public Safety Power Shutoffs during severe weather conditions. Utility officials said those early conversations helped build trust and set expectations for the undergrounding work and broader wildfire mitigation efforts.
CPAU continues to provide customers with information on wildfire prevention, emergency preparedness, early warning notifications, response protocols and power restoration. Outreach includes emails, mailed notices, door hangers, community meetings and door-to-door visits, along with a dedicated project webpage tracking progress.
Kurotori said, “we found that community members were appreciative of our proactive efforts and enjoyed hearing updates on the progress. In addition to public meetings and reports, we have kept our elected and appointed officials apprised of our efforts, as we know they are excellent ambassadors within the community.”
City officials said the likelihood of implementing Public Safety Power Shutoffs in the Foothills has been significantly reduced as a result of the undergrounding project, though customer outreach will continue during wildfire season.
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