How about an L G & E Appreciation event

I think the end of Stephen George's LEO article tells us all we need to know about the likelihood of underground powerlines. A study in NC (doesn't say how big an area would be involved) showed that burying "lines in susceptible areas [...] would cost $41 billion, take 25 years to complete, and result in a 125 percent rate increase."

At dinner last night with my parents, we discussed the "outrage" some people were having over the time it was taking for LG&E to restore power. I'm just not able to understand this outrage. I thought the restoration project was timely, effective, and well-coordinated. I also assume that the workers are/were doing the best they can/could to restore the power as quickly as possible. I don't think anyone should start throwing stones about how quickly power "should" be restored until he/she understands exactly what the process entails.

I also think it is important to distinguish between the company and the workers, as Robin has done.

Maybe we should throw a "OK Its Time To Get All The Lines Buried" party.

Just for the record, underground lines have their own set of problems........they tend to crack and get moisture easier than the overhead ones, their lifespan is less, and can we say "fried chipmonk"?

Huh! That's interesting and I had no idea. So now I'm wondering how do areas like out in Wyoming or Utah cope that get massive amounts of snow, ice and low temps on a regular basis?

At dinner last night with my parents, we discussed the "outrage" some people were having over the time it was taking for LG&E to restore power. I'm just not able to understand this outrage. I thought the restoration project was timely, effective, and well-coordinated. I also assume that the workers are/were doing the best they can/could to restore the power as quickly as possible. I don't think anyone should start throwing stones about how quickly power "should" be restored until he/she understands exactly what the process entails.

Living out here in an area that was without power for 4 days + I have not (did not) hear any grumbling about the line workers at all. In fact, the trucks that drove by usually were met with applause and thumbs up signs. I think most of the anger comes from having to endure the situation again and so soon on the heel of the hurricane. Given the amount of time and money it takes to fix and recover from these ordeals it's no surprise that the public is wondering, " What can we do so that this isn't an on going problem?" Is there an investment we can make to lessen the problem because we all KNOW this will happen again?

[Robin Garr]

Just for the record, underground lines have their own set of problems........they tend to crack and get moisture easier than the overhead ones, their lifespan is less, and can we say "fried chipmonk"?

Interesting point. At least part of our DSL is underground, beneath one of those pale-green posts near the curb, and it gets screwed up (perhaps because of moisture leakage?) about once a year.

Maybe we should throw a "OK Its Time To Get All The Lines Buried" party.

I agree, but I've heard the cost would be around $1 million per mile of line. I just don't see it happening. So many parts of town would look so much better (Highlands, etc.) if the lines were buried, and we would largely avoid the catastrophes, but I don't think most customers would be happy with the substantial rate increase this kind of project would yield.