Electric
Biden administration launches $70 million cybersecurity funding program for energy delivery infrastructure
This new, competitive funding opportunity will help advance next-generation innovations that strengthen the resilience of America’s energy systems, which include the power grid, electric utilities and pipelines.
Greenville, S.C., residents eligible for $3,000 power line burial support from Duke Energy
In a collaborative effort, Duke Energy and Greenville, S.C. introduced the POWER ON initiative, aiming to assist homeowners in burying their power lines and ensuring a reliable energy supply.
Indiana utility to develop gas, electric businesses with capital from Blackstone Infrastructure investment
NIPSCO intends to support the continued growth and modernization of its gas and electric transmission and distribution systems, which will play critical roles in the energy transition.
PG&E hits milestone with 600 miles of underground powerlines, reducing wildfire risk for 20 counties
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has constructed and energized more than 600 miles of underground powerlines since its ambitious 10,000-mile undergrounding program started in mid-2021, the company announced on Dec. 20.
ABB to support electrical utility sector with new U.S. manufacturing facility
ABB Installation Products broke ground on its new manufacturing facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to meet increased demand for ABB’s leading Elastimold cable accessory solutions used to improve grid-hardening through cable undergrounding to help power millions of homes, businesses and communities.
EBMUD pilot project to generate hydroelectricity from water pressure in water pipelines
The new in-conduit hydroelectric system works like traditional pressure regulating valves in EBMUD’s water distribution system but uses a turbine to reduce water pressure in the distribution pipeline while generating electricity, creating a reliable, clean source of power.
San Diego's North Park neighborhood celebrates undergrounding of power lines
(UI) — The North Park neighborhood in San Diego, Calif., recently celebrated a significant milestone as it witnessed the removal of overhead power lines from their community.
Oregon power company to pay nearly $300 million to settle latest lawsuit over 2020 wildfires
Electricity utility PacifiCorp will pay $299 million to settle a lawsuit brought by about 220 customers who were harmed by devastating wildfires in southern Oregon in 2020.
New York Transco's $1.4 billion power line plan receives state nod
(UI) — New York Transco has received the green light from New York State's utilities regulator on Thursday for three transmission projects. As part of this comprehensive project, the developer plans to introduce three new underground cables linking Long Island to the broader state.
Eaton to increase North American power line undergrounding with additional $85 million investment
To increase supplies of its critical underground protective connectors, Eaton is creating approximately 300 new positions, expanding its manufacturing facility in Queretaro, as well as adding new injection presses and manufacturing equipment.
Xcel Energy receives $100 million federal grant to mitigate wildfires, boost grid resiliency
The projects will take a number of steps to boost grid resiliency, including moving high-risk distribution circuits underground.
Manhattan Beach, Calif., resumes underground utility line project after two-year hiatus
(UI) — In a significant development, the underground utility line project in Manhattan Beach is set to continue, following its suspension in 2021. The city has stepped in to support the endeavor, which will involve burying power, cable, internet, and phone lines for homes and buildings in two northern Manhattan Beach neighborhoods.
PG&E initiates underground power line placement in Magalia, Calif.
(UI) — In Magalia, a significant transformation is underway as power lines are being placed underground. While the current cost of burying power lines is approximately $3.75 million per mile, PG&E anticipates a reduction to about $2.8 million per mile by 2026. The utility company asserts that despite the expense, the advantages of underground lines in high fire-risk areas are abundant.
Southwire to supply underground power cables for New York hydroelectricity project
CHPE will deliver clean, renewable hydroelectricity via a 339-mile fully buried High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system using a combination of submarine and underground cables.
Austin Energy underground powerline study granted approval in city council budget
(UI) — A significant portion—57%—of Austin Energy's power lines are already underground. However, the focus of this study is the remaining 5,000 miles of above-ground lines. The analysis aims to identify economically and environmentally viable areas for the transition.
Mandan and MDU partner to bury power lines along North Dakota highway
(UI) — Mandan officials are collaborating with Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) to enhance North Dakota's highway infrastructure by burying nearby power lines and installing an underground storm sewer.
LUMA's $180 million underground transmission overhaul receives Puerto Rico’s approval
(UI) — LUMA's $180 million project proposal intends to repair and harden important underground transmission system components whose prospective breakdowns might jeopardize the system's dependability and resilience.
PG&E gains ground on undergrounding 10,000 miles of power lines
(UI) — The largest project in the country to bury electricity lines underground is being carried out by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and it is on target to finish this year. The utility intends to bury 10,000 miles of wires, and work on this project is progressing mile by mile and county by county.
Recent underground power line explosions in San Francisco raise concerns, safety assurances remain
(UI) — A San Francisco neighborhood has experienced significant problems as a result of an underground explosion and subsequent fire for at least the second time in less than three months.
PG&E plans to move power lines underground along Highway 89 in California
(UI) — In the upcoming months, the Plumas County power lines on Highway 89 between Moccasin and Indian Falls will be relocated underground by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
Consumers Energy proposes new buried power line program to strengthen Michigan grid
The pilot will study real-world resiliency improvements that result from burying power lines, and how those improvements compare with other approaches to improving electric service for nearly 2 million Michigan homes and businesses.
San Rafael secures PG&E funding for Canal Area underground utilities upgrade
(UI) — To facilitate the project's progression, the San Rafael City Council has unanimously approved the establishment of an underground utility district for the designated area. This strategic move enables the city to leverage funding provided by Pacific Gas & Electric Co.
Harbor Peak breaks ground on seven-mile fiber optic conduit system in Ashburn, Va.
(UI) — The underground infrastructure system will enable lateral connections into the many data centers surrounding the conduit system, and interconnect to Harbor Link’s 60-mile conduit build along I-95 to Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Maryland, totaling approximately 300 route miles between the networks.
United Rentals introduces low-emissions generators for worksite electrification
The generators are equipped with dual interchangeable and removable electrical panels, making it fast and easy to customize the generators to various power needs. In addition to the environmental benefits, the generators run much quieter than traditional generators.
Editor's Log: The Electric Buzz
(UI) — The tri-annual ConExpo/Con-Agg Show broke all its previous records, including attendance, with over 139,000 people registered. Overwhelming size aside, a tremendous amount of pent-up energy was expended at ConExpo.
NextEra Energy subsidiary FPL starts moving power underground in Coral Gables, Fla.
(UI) — More than 100 city officials and employees of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) gathered in a neighborhood in Coral Gables, Fla., to officially start a long-awaited project: the undergrounding of electricity lines in the area as part of FPL's Storm Safe Underground Program.
Luna Innovations wins fiber optic monitoring system contract for major U.S. clean energy project
Luna’s technology will provide temperature, depth of burial, and acoustic monitoring for the power cables that form the backbone of the system. The monitoring services will help ensure safe, efficient delivery of renewable, reliable, low-cost power over the area’s 300-mile transmission line.
PG&E curtails plan to bury over 3,500 miles of power lines in effort to reduce wildfires
(UI) — In order to reduce the risk of wildfires in the western United States, California-based electric utility and natural gas supplier PG&E Inc. has scaled back its plans to lay over 3,600 miles of power lines underground through 2026. Beginning in June, PG&E will be tried for manslaughter in connection with fire fatalities allegedly resulting from its overhead power lines, which were blamed for the deadliest wildfire in California history in 2018.
BHI Acquisition allows United Utility to form one of U.S. largest transmission/distribution power providers
BHI represents United Utility’s fifth strategic acquisition, all of which have been negotiated on a bi-lateral basis. This transaction further demonstrates the company’s commitment to growing its breadth of services and capabilities to best serve its growing list of key electric utility customers.
Editor’s Log: Stampede
(UI) — The President Biden Administration’s narrative has been to mercilessly shun, blame and attack “big-oil” companies, gas companies and any pipeline ever built as the root of environmental evil. The President has used his bully pulpit to supplement his unending rules and regulations against oil and gas, as the way to achieve the “carbon-free” goal of his zealous backers.
- OSHA cites Florida contractors for trench safety violations at sewer and excavation sites
- Biden-Harris administration invests $849 million in aging water infrastructure, drought resilience
- Cadiz to reuse steel from terminated Keystone XL pipeline for California groundwater project
- Texas contractor penalized by OSHA for repeated trench safety violations
- West Virginia approves $67 million for water, sewer projects