photo by Boyd Loving
Sandy spurs new look at underground power lines, grid upgrade
Hurricane Sandy has prompted utility regulators to take a new look at measures New Jersey has shied away from in the past – including replacing some above-ground power lines with underground systems — largely because of the huge price tag that likely would jack up electric rates for consumers.
In the next few months, the state Board of Public Utilities, however, plans to explore the possibility of “selective’’ burying of underground lines. It also will examine whether to require utilities to create a “smarter” power grid, a step some say would lead to faster restoration of power in the wake of powerful storms like Sandy. (Johnson/NJSpotlight)