STEP 5. IMPLEMENTATION 27 Document data-driven selections of work proposed in the resiliency plan by geography, line segment, or equipment type to support communication plans. o Tap line selection criteria must have an objective strategy that benefits all rate classes and geographies even where work is not necessary or taking place. Plan to address joint-use companies on poles (cable, telephone, etc.) (Note: Joint use issues are significant and require extensive investigation in the planning phases to clearly understand the options available and implications. Every state has different legal or regulatory restrictions describing what can be done with poles and attachments once an electric utility moves its facilities underground. In general, there are four options available.) o Options are restricted based upon state law and regulation, the general four options available include: Remove the pole (assumes no other utilities are attached). Invite other utilities and attachments into a joint trench, then remove the pole. Leave pole and attachments in place, electric utility retains ownership and maintenance responsibility. Leave pole in place and sell or give it to attachment utilities with them assuming ownership and maintenance responsibility. o Advanced notification to telecom providers and other attachment owners will need to be made during the planning phase when the resolution of joint use issues can be planned. o Communication of how joint use issues will be resolved is critical both to attachment holders and property owners. Property owners strongly prefer the pole removed. Plan to address meter base adaptor and meter location. (Note: Nearly every utility has a standard operating procedure associated with the movement of meter and meter base location to connect to an underground service. A review and update, if necessary, of these standards may occur during the planning phases to clearly understand and describe the options available to property owners.) o Advance notification to property owners of the plan for meter and meter base relocation after undergrounding of service. Communication plans should also address: o Grouping geographically to minimize mobilization of crews between jobs. o Existing roadwork projects being proposed or completed which will hinder the efficiency of the work. o Road moratoriums which could prevent getting permits to do the work. o Time of year the work is completed in specific locations. o Meter base adaptors and notification of their new service and meter location. o How will you address joint-use companies on poles? (cable, telephone, etc.) o Securing easements for a new installation. This will need to be determined on where the new lines will or can be located. Depending on the location, availability, local jurisdictional requirements or utilities best practice policies, lines may be buried in the public road right of way, public easement, or private customer easement. What, if any, will the costs of this easement be? Do the existing utility easements or corridors allow electric lines to be buried and what are the minimum clearances between other utility lines. Communication Strategy As is highlighted in several of the case studies, both stakeholder and ratepayer effective communications are critical to the successful development, approval, and implementation of a resiliency program including undergrounding strategies. Three audiences, segregated by a phase of the resilience program, require effective communication throughout the process: 1) Regulators or Legislators to seek approval; 2) Stakeholders affected by construction activity; 3) Public, Regulators, and Legislators to report performance and result.
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