PDi2 Playbook

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.

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE3MDU=