Pacific Gas and Electric Co. reports it has resumed work to underground power lines along Highway 70 between Storrie and Rich Bar in Plumas County. PG&E contractor MGE is continuing work to underground about 16 miles of power lines along the highway, starting from about 3 miles east of the Butte-Plumas County Line and working to Rich Bar Road.
Work began in December 2022 and continued until last October as planned. One-way traffic controls will occur as crews trench and install conduit for underground lines. Motorists are advised to allow for more time when traveling this route and can expect delays of up to 15 minutes between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, except for holidays, until the project is completed in 2025.
“We at PG&E are deeply committed to doing everything we can to prevent wildfires in the communities we serve and live in,” said Joe Wilson, vice president of PG&E’s North Valley and Sierra Region. “Our region has been devastated by wildfires in recent years. Undergrounding work protects our communities.” The work is part of PG&E’s Community Wildfire Safety Program and is conducted in response to California’s growing wildfire risk. Undergrounding is just one of multiple layers of wildfire protection that has proven to be effective in reducing wildfire risk, says PG&E.
PG&E is committed to moving 10,000 miles of powerlines underground in the areas of highest fire risk to reduce wildfire risk and improve reliability throughout California. The company says that burying powerlines is the most effective solution to reducing the risk of wildfire from electrical equipment, reducing the risk of ignitions in areas at the highest risk of wildfire by nearly 98%. Undergrounding also makes power more reliable by reducing outages caused by winter storms; in some cases it eliminates the need for safety shutoffs.
PG&E reports that it is building and expanding its electric system underground to not only help reduce wildfires caused by equipment but also to reduce the need for power outages related to wildfire safety. PG&E says undergrounding will also help protect trees, improve system reliability and beautify communities.
Additional local PG&E undergrounding project locations include Highways 89 and 70 and Greenville. For more information about road impacts, call PG&E’s customer rebuild line at 800-254-5810.
Information submitted by Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
