STEP 3. DEVELOPING THE PROGRAM PLAN 15 CASE STUDY II – SELECTION & TARGETING OF FACILITY TYPES San Diego Gas & Electric (Sempra Energy) – Process for defining targeted locations undergrounding efforts. CHALLENGE The City of San Diego is focused on enhancing the aesthetics and electric reliability in local neighborhoods. The city tasked SDG&E to focus on how to avoid or eliminate an unusually heavy concentration of overhead electric facilities along street, road, or right-of-way that is extensively used by the general public and that carry a heavy volume of pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Of particular interest to the city was to address any street, road, or right-of-way that adjoins or passes through a civic area or public recreation area or an area of unusual scenic interest to the general public. These types of lines largely met the criteria associated with Rule 20A*. The timeline, cost, and other constraints were set when the city required that all existing overhead communication and electric distribution facilities in such districts shall be removed. SOLUTION Given that the program is funded entirely by residents through a surcharge on utility bills as established by the City Council and approved by the California Public Utilities Commission*, SDG&E intended to find the most cost-efficient approach possible. This focus required SDG&E to design a feasible implementation plan given that many of the designated locations were street, road, or right-of-way that are an arterial street or major collector. RESULT SDG&E has proactively removed more than 5,000 power poles and undergrounded more than 500 miles of power lines under the city’s direction. Approximately 75% of the power lines in the City of San Diego are now underground. REFERENCE CONTACT Myra Herrmann, Environmental Planner, City of San Diego Planning Department, 619-446-5372 mherrmann@sandiego.gov SOURCES #55, #122, #131, #241 * Note: The undergrounding of much electric infrastructure in California is completed through a program titled “California Overhead Conversion Program” and known as Rule 20. The tariff was first implemented in September 1967 and over $3 billion has been spent through the program. Within the rule are four undergrounding criteria types including (#241, pg. 4): 20A – Public Interest - Remove closely packed lines on a high traffic way, or in a scenic area. 20B – Do not meet Rule 20A criteria, but still involve undergrounding both sides of the street for at least 600 feet. 20C – Typically small projects, where a business or individual pays everything. 20D – Facilities within SDG&E Fire Threat Zone and undergrounding is a preferred method to reduce fire risk and enhance reliability.
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