Down With the Poles? Up With The Costs

Dobkin estimates that putting just electric lines underground would cost $1 million per mile. By contrast, the Virginia corporation commission estimates that overhead utility lines cost $10,000 to $250,000 per mile, depending upon terrain and labor costs.

Christopher Creager, Verizon's senior vice president of network services, said putting Verizon's lines underground is "at least twice as expensive" as stringing them through the air.

When the town of Garrett Park looked into burying utilities along one road four years ago, "estimated costs ranged from seven to 10 million dollars per mile," said Tom Pogue, community outreach manager for the Montgomery County Department of Public Works. That would be for all utilities, not just power lines. Those estimates include removing utility poles, repairing sidewalks, curbs and streets, replacing trees and repairing gas, water or sewer pipes that may be damaged, as well as putting everything back in proper order -- all part of the process.

Residents of Arlington's Forest Glen community really wanted their utilities underground. "We've been told the cost is around $15,000 per linear foot," Ira Goodsaid, president of the homeowners association, wrote in an e-mail. "Should Arlington propose to pay for it, we would likely embrace it," he added. Until then, the project is on hold.

Who Pays?

No matter who writes the check for such a project, however, the Virginia corporation commission concluded, "The costs would be paid ultimately by consumers, either directly, or indirectly, in the form of prices, taxes, or utility rates."

In 1982, the city of Frederick put all utilities and transformers underground on about 14 blocks in the historic district. At that time, recalled Richard Griffin, director of economic development for the city, the utilities were partners in the cost because they knew consumers would continue to buy power from them. Now, with deregulation, the utility that owns the lines is less likely to want to make the investment because it is not guaranteed the customer base.

The costs of burying lines are now borne in some fashion by the developer, municipality and individual consumer. Some localities use special assessment districts, where utility subscribers pay a surcharge to fund the project. This method spreads the cost of the project over a long time.

Homeowners usually have other costs beyond the assessment. For example, power from overhead sources has meters and electric boxes geared to that method of transmission. When utilities go underground, the property owner has to relocate and revamp both, at what Griffin estimates could be $1,500 per unit. That interior work would have to be done by an electrician, with the homeowner picking up the tab.

The Virginia corporation commission report, while not recommending statewide underground utilities, acknowledged, "Certain localities and their citizens might value the aesthetic benefits enough to be willing to plan, implement and fund a local underground initiative."

Long-Term Relocation

Alexandria and Arlington County are among the jurisdictions that have such long-range plans.

In 1992, Alexandria began a program to relocate overhead utilities in Old Town and along Mount Vernon Avenue.

The search for greater reliability during storms was a prime consideration in deciding to bury utilities. Alexandria has not only well-aged houses, but also well-aged trees. With overhead lines, "if you're going to have a canopy, you're going to have outages," said Rich Baier, director of transportation and environmental services.