PG&E files 10-year plan to underground 5,000 miles of power lines in California
PCG•PG&E filed a 10-year plan to underground about 5,000 miles of power lines in California from 2028 to 2037. The utility expects $117 billion in long-term benefits and about $6 billion in avoided costs.
1. Undergrounding plan
PG&E filed its Electrical Undergrounding Plan with the California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety. The plan would place about 5,000 miles of electricity distribution lines underground from 2028 to 2037, focusing on areas where the work is likely to reduce wildfire risks most; it would span more than 30 counties.
2. Projected benefits
PG&E expects $117 billion in long-term benefits through wildfire prevention and reduced outages, while avoiding roughly $6 billion in vegetation management, operations and maintenance costs.
3. Recent company context
In September, PG&E said it would defer about $2 billion in spending for next year and launched a strategic review. PG&E emerged from bankruptcy in 2020 after its equipment was linked to several deadly fires.
