Why Aren’t All of Douglas Electric Cooperative’s Power Lines Underground?
In July, I was asked to speak at a meeting of the Coos Forest Protective Association. In preparation for the event, I decided to run some rough numbers on the cost of converting most of our 1,300 miles of overhead transmission and distribution lines to underground to mitigate fire danger.
Douglas Electric Cooperative’s service territory stretches more than 2,500 miles of some of the most rugged terrain a co-op can serve, including mountains, solid rock, and wetlands.
Another challenge is underground power lines are not practical in wetlands, river crossings, and areas with extremely rocky soil.
A conservative estimate to put our power lines underground came to $800 million using our own data and information from outside sources. Read more at the CNBC website..
DEC could spread these costs across its 8,500 members. Financed over 30 years at current interest rates, this would increase the average monthly bill from less than $150 to approximately $655 a month.
Our mission at DEC is to deliver affordable and reliable power to our members. Many of our new services are underground systems that meet the specifications of Douglas Electric and the National Electric Safety Code. We are focused on building and maintaining our system in a way that keeps rates affordable now and in the future.
General Manager Keith Brooks