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Undergrounding is the process of moving overhead electric distribution lines below ground. PG&E has two major programs focused on undergrounding: system hardening and the Rule 20 Program.
These wildfire safety and undergrounding efforts make our system safer and more resilient. This positions us to better serve PG&E's customers and respond to our state's evolving climate challenges. Building and expanding our electric system underground will:
Meeting our state's climate challenges requires bold, innovative action. That's why we have launched the largest undergrounding effort designed to reduce wildfire risk in the U.S.
In 2021, PG&E announced a program to underground roughly 10,000 miles of powerlines located in or near high fire-threat areas. While we are continuing to develop additional details on our 10,000-mile undergrounding program, our goal is to significantly increase our underground miles annually. We've set a goal of completing approximately 1,200 miles of undergrounding per year, but it will take several years for that ramp-up to occur.
Additional information on our 10,000-mile undergrounding program can be found in our 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan and 2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan News Release.
We are prioritizing areas where undergrounding can reduce wildfire risk and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and Enhanced Powerline Safety Setting (EPSS) impacts. In addition, we are focusing on critical facilities, like hospitals, and other factors including:
In 2022, PG&E plans to underground at least 175 miles of powerlines. The following is a list of counties with undergrounding work planned, under construction or recently completed (in 2022). This includes work planned for 2022-2023. Please note, we are still identifying future undergrounding miles and determining the sequence of the work.
For approximate work locations, download the statewide map of planned undergrounding for 2022-23 (PDF, 1.2 MB) or the county maps of planning undergrounding work for 2022-2023 (PDF, 3.8 MB).
Amador |
Butte |
Calaveras |
|
Contra Costa |
El Dorado |
Fresno |
|
Lake |
Marin |
Mariposa |
|
Mendocino |
Napa |
Nevada |
|
Placer |
Plumas |
San Mateo |
|
Santa Cruz |
Shasta |
Solano |
|
Sonoma |
Tehama |
Trinity |
While we are continuing to develop additional details on our 10,000-mile undergrounding program, our goal is to significantly increase our underground miles annually. We plan to underground approximately 3,600 miles by 2026, or roughly one-third of the overall 10,000-mile target.
Are you interested in partnering with us to co-create what will become the country’s most modern and expansive underground electric system? For more information, please follow this link and fill out the form. This form will be used by our supply chain team to gather a list of interested companies.
We anticipate sourcing activities across various services and materials in support of the undergrounding program. This may include, but may not be limited to:
For more information, you can contact us at wildfiresafety@pge.com or 1-877-295-4949.
PG&E also converts many miles of overhead electric facilities to underground annually. This work is completed by following the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Rule 20 guideline that is an electric distribution tariff.
Rule 20 has three sections (A, B and C). The use of a particular Rule 20 section is determined by the type of area to be undergrounded and who pays for the work.
For more information on Rule 20, please see below.
A city or county initiates a Rule 20A project. It often occurs in areas of a community used by the public. Customer electric rates fund the projects after construction completion. To view current 20A projects, download Rule 20A - Projects in the Queue (PDF, 151 KB).
A city, county or municipal agency determines the potential project location. PG&E and other utilities then discuss the boundary with them. After consulting with PG&E and holding public hearings on the subject, the governing body of a city or county must determine that undergrounding is in the general public interest. Qualifying reasons for a Rule 20A project include the following:
Rule 20B projects are typically in conjunction with larger developments and the majority of costs paid by the developer or applicant.
Undergrounding within Rule 20B is done when the area does not fit the Rule 20A criteria, but involves both sides of the street for at least 600 feet. Under Rule 20B, the applicant is responsible for the installation of the conduit, substructures and boxes. The applicant pays for the installation cost of the underground electric system, less a credit for an equivalent overhead system, plus the taxes, if applicable.
Rule 20C projects are usually small projects that involve one or more property owners. The costs are almost entirely borne by the applicants.
Undergrounding within the provisions of Rule 20C occurs when neither Rule 20A nor Rule 20B applies. Under Rule 20C, the applicant pays the entire cost of the electric undergrounding, less a credit for salvage.
A cross-functional team with representatives from PG&E, phone and cable companies, and local governments oversees the Rule 20A projects which are accomplished by:
Contact your Public Works Department and/or City Council to discuss the proposed project. To initiate a Rule 20B or 20C project with PG&E:
A signed application and an advance deposit must be submitted to PG&E prior to work beginning on the project. The deposit amount will depend on the size and complexity of the project.
Once the application has been filed, a PG&E representative will be assigned to assist in the process. If the project moves forward after initial meetings, an additional deposit may be requested to cover all PG&E engineering, project management, land rights, materials and overhead costs. Note that engineering advances are non-refundable.