Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

buried_lede t1_j3vcmuy wrote

Reply to comment by Merino_w00l in Why doesn’t Vermont bury its power lines? by tcchen

Even if you use existing underground utility trenches like where the plumbing and water lines are running, it is still expensive. They have to be sealed from moisture and insulated. The lines put out heat which has to be dealt with more aggressively underground. The seals complicate any repair and require more expensive components and I believe they may not last as long underground, but not sure of that. I read up on it and that was some of the takeaway. Various articles said it was five to 10 times more expensive

16

Dire88 t1_j3wg7rd wrote

>Even if you use existing underground utility trenches like where the plumbing and water lines are running, it is still expensive.

Minimum trench separation of water from electrical is 12in, sewer to electrical is 24in.

Yea, it's less than a bucket width. But the difference between a 6in trench and a 24in trench is a hell of a lot harder to bypass ledge.

3