Following the extensive power loss during and after Hurricane Irma, many Pinellas County and Gulf Beaches communities are debating the benefits of underground lines vs. overhead lines, notes Ann Marie Varga, Duke Energy Communications Manager. She told Paradise News, “Our system includes both overhead and underground facilities, and we are in favor of underground where it makes sense.
“However, it’s important to remember that there are tradeoffs. Undergrounding does not eliminate outages … Restoration times are typically higher because damage is more difficult to locate and takes longer to repair … Underground facilities may experience dig-ins, are not invulnerable to lightning strikes and are susceptible to flooding. There are other variables to be considered, including existing rights of way and underground infrastructure as well as replacing streets and sidewalks. It is also expensive — industry estimates range from $500,000/mile for tap lines to $2.5 million/mile for main distribution lines.
“We will invest $3.4 billion in a grid modernization plan over the next 10 years to strengthen the state’s energy grid, making it more resilient and secure. These enhancements will improve power quality and reliability while enabling more options for our customers.
“An important part of our plan is the start this year of a targeted underground program to move the most outage-prone overhead power lines underground. This reliability-focused program will reduce outages and momentary interruptions on these circuits and quicken overall restoration times after major events. Over a 10-year period, approximately 1,250 miles of overhead distribution lines will be placed underground.
“Today, most new construction is underground and paid for by the requesting party. We also work with municipalities to convert existing overhead lines to underground, at their cost, in accordance with the terms of our tariff. Recent Gulf Beaches projects include Gulf Blvd. in Treasure Island and Madeira Beach, and Pass-a-Grille Way in St. Pete Beach.
“Further discussion on undergrounding beyond the targeted program is warranted. Duke Energy plans to be an active part of this discussion as the communities that we serve look at potential changes following Hurricane Irma. A solution that balances cost, year-round reliability and storm hardening can be achieved by working together to solve this complex issue.”
Adds Tom Lawery, Wholesale Renewable Manager, Distributed Energy Resources, “Duke Energy has taken the lead on undergrounding utilities.” With Duke and Progress energy for 28 years. At the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber Environment Panel last September (see Paradise News, October 2017 issue), Lawery emphasized the firm’s commitment to an economic-driven energy policy.
County Interlocal Agreement
Pinellas County has an interlocal agreement with the municipalities along Gulf Blvd. for roadway Improvements, according to Jackie Trainer, Office of Management and Budget. Included are Belleair Beach, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Madeira Beach, North Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Redington Shores, St. Pete Beach, and Treasure Island.
She told Paradise News, “The agreement signed in July 2012 provides the allocation each year since 2013 thru 2019 for each municipality based upon the lineal road frontage of Gulf Blvd. in each municipality. Total agreement is $35 million and is funded by the Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas) on a reimbursement basis. Many of the municipalities have used their allocation to help fund the undergrounding of their utilities. Each city manages their respective projects and could provide further detail on their Gulf Blvd. Improvements projects.”
With figures on the accompanying Project Chart through Fiscal 2017 ended last Sept. 30, total allocation of $35 million through 2019 is topped by Clearwater with $6.08 million. This is followed by St. Pete Beach, $5.746 million; Indian Rocks Beach, $4.98 million; Indian Rocks, $4.008 million; and Redington Shores, Redington Beach and North Redington Beach, total $4.446 million.
Blake Lyon, County Development Review Services Director, added, “From my perspective on the Development Review side of the world, our efforts focus more on the regulations for unincorporated portions of Pinellas County. Where my staff may get involved is if Duke Energy or one of the local municipalities wishes to work within the County’s right-of-way. In those instances, we would help facilitate the review and issuance of Right-of-Way Utilization Permits to support the undergrounding efforts.
As an example, the County Utility Department’s Gene Crosson notes, “Several years back a project was done on a portion of Gulf Blvd. to relocate all aerial utilities underground. The project started south near Park Blvd. in Indian Shores to Walsingham Road to the north. The project reconstructed the travel lanes of Gulf Blvd. and re-installed the facilities from the air to underground. The County Utility Department worked with the Florida Dept. of Transportation (FDOT) to complete the project. The Utility Department had many utility lines that needed relocation and replacement. Somehow it became a Utility Department project funded by the FDOT.”
Local Undergrounding Updates
In January, FDOT officials told the Indian Rocks Beach Commission it would commit about $3.2 million to improve drainage issues along Gulf Blvd from Park Blvd. to Walsingham Road as a continuation of the project to underground utility wiring. FDOT design consultant John Novak told the Commission that studies showed problem areas along this route where water was not properly draining after heavy rains and storms. Mayor R.B. Johnson had raised the issue related to the pending overall utilities undergrounding project that will include a complete repaving job. Contract award is expected in May with work to start in July and completion in about a year.
Redington Shores Mayor Bert Adams, retiring this year after 12 years on the job, told Paradise News, “We did some utility undergrounding about seven years ago and now are working with Redington Beach and North Redington Beach on a major Gulf Blvd. project to underground wiring on the East side and cross-wires, which is what we can jointly afford. We have a contract with CRC, and are currently getting required easements from local property owners, and hope to start work before I leave office in March.“
Mike Helfrich, Treasure Island Public Works Director, told Paradise News, “Our city to date has been reimbursed $2,194,413 from the County for projects associated with the Gulf Boulevard Improvement Program, from our total program share of $3,777,236. Work accomplished for Utility Relocation consisted of undergrounding utility facilities for Duke Energy, Verizon and Brighthouse from 108th Ave to 127th Ave on Gulf Blvd. The relocation underground of the existing overhead utilities is the most significant proposed improvement of this project and the largest cost item, estimated at $1,945,832.
“Roadway Lighting consisted of removal of approximately 80 street lights along Gulf Blvd from 104th Ave to 129th Ave and installation of 118 new LED street lights and poles at an approximately cost of $248,581. The City is reviewing and requesting cost estimates from Duke Energy, Frontier and Spectrum for utility relocation for Gulf Blvd south of 107th Ave to the base of Blind Pass Bridge. We also will be investigating the possibility of using the funds to install irrigation and lighting for median landscaping.”
Wayne Saunders, St. Pete Beach City Manager, notes that the city has worked with Duke Energy and the County in undergrounding wires as part of the ongoing major upgrading of Pass-a-Grille Way, and various areas along Gulf Blvd.
Story by STEVE TRAIMAN
[Editor’s Note: Special thanks to Jackie Trainer, Blake Lyon & Gene Crosson, Pinellas County; Tom Lawery & Ann Marie Varga, Duke Energy; Mayor Bert Adams, Redington Beach; Mayor R.B. Johnson, Indian Shores; Mayor Bob Minning & Mike Helfrich, Treasure Island; and Wayne Saunders, St. Pete Beach.]
[Steve Traiman is President of Creative Copy by Steve Traiman in St. Pete Beach, offering freelance business writing services. He can be reached via email at traimancreativecopy@gmail.com ]