Hi all,
Here’s a quick update on an issue that will affect every home-builder or developer in Southern California. The CPUC approved SCE’s Above Ground Equipment advice filing on April 22nd of this year. This new initiative becomes effective on August 2, 2010.
What it means to you: Basically, for any new projects SCE will be designing and installing above-ground structures as a preference in public streets, and as a requirement on private property. The applicant will no longer have the option to pay “Added Facilities” charges for Burd transformers or other underground equipment on private property.
Here is an excerpt from a recent SCE newsletter describing the initiative: “This new policy is limited to equipment installations on private property. In the public right of way, or public property, SCE’s standard design preference will be to incorporate above-ground equipment subject to review by the local municipality. Any customer requesting new facilities, or in some cases expanding existing facilities will be required to have their equipment on private property installed above-ground where it is technically feasible to do so. The reason for this change is to help SCE improve service reliability, provide safety benefits for SCE employees and customers, and protect the environment.”
I can see a storm brewing as a result of this resolution. I believe SCE has the best intentions on this one…safety, easier maintenance; but some cities do not want above ground equipment. I can think of several…Fontana, Inglewood, Rancho Cucamonga to name a few. As a Utility Consultant working for builders in these and other cities, I’m expecting some added work in the form of meetings/negotiations between SCE and city officials.
As long as this new requirement is accounted for in early planning, the issue can be successfully mitigated and shouldn’t adversely affect overall project success. As always, thanks for reading. Please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have any questions on this or any other dry utility issue.
John Mole – President
Utility Planners, Inc.
