MID-ATLANTIC UTILITIES UNDERGROUNDING PROGRAM CASE STUDY 57 5. IMPLEMENTATION After establishing a potential resiliency program objective, how a resiliency program can support the pursuit of the objective, how to create a resiliency program, developing the resiliency program plan, and obtaining approval, the next step in the Utility Infrastructure Resiliency Playbook (Playbook) is implementation. The case study represents a combination of three Mid-Atlantic utility experiences and is used to introduce this concept and describe how they chose to implement the undergrounding program. CHALLENGE A combination of a large volume of activity, specialty underground installation, seeking of private easements, a challenging timeline, and cost limitations presented a unique challenge to Utility A’s undergrounding program. SOLUTION Selection of non-traditional construction techniques (directional boring) to limit and avoid the impact of private landscaping, public sidewalks, and public roadways. Development of a joint-use solution to manage phone and cable use of Utility A pole. Developed a private easement process built on effective communication to landholders, defining the benefits of the process, making the process as low-impact as possible. These easements were as narrow as possible ranging from 7 to 15 feet in width and requested or negotiated with landholders without the purchase of the right-of-way. Started the program with very simple projects with the following scope specifics: 1) no pole joint-use conditions; 2) home already had the services converted to underground in an earlier effort; 3) easement access was straight forward or already granted. These were viewed as the best place to start and develop a set of lessons learned from the process before undertaking the more challenging work that required solutions to all potential issues. Development and use of broad scope outsourced service providers responsible for securing easement, orchestrating work, utilizing directional boring installation to reduce customer impact, and completion of construction activity. Align utility and contractor incentives around working with property owners to secure easements and control of the construction schedule. RESULT Effective customer communications are responsible for relative ease at which private easements have been obtained from property owners. Tools utilized include: 1) Program-specific website in multiple languages; 2) Electronic and printed program brochure; 3) Customer video case studies on website and social media; 4) Augmented reality of facility siting on customer property; 5) Single program spokesperson making industry, stakeholder, and customer webinars and presentations; 6) Contractor training in the discussion and positioning of the Strategic Underground Program (SUP) and easement requirements. Public feedback to Utility A and the State Legislature has been generally positive. Test projects were executed faster and for less cost than anticipated and this result encouraged a faster acceleration to undertake the more challenging work that required solutions to all of the potential issues. Fewer than 15% of selected underground projects have been canceled due to the inability to secure easements. This level is below expected and has proven to be similar to normal construction challenges.
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