News Summary
Anaheim plans to relocate all city-owned power lines in high fire-risk areas underground by 2026. This initiative aims to enhance safety and utility reliability while minimizing wildfire risks. Currently, 162 miles of power lines in Anaheim Hills have nearly all been buried, with significant progress already made. The project is driven by the concerns raised in a 2022 state audit and is funded through a 4% surcharge on utility bills. The aim is to foster a safer, more reliable energy infrastructure as California grapples with wildfire challenges.
ANAHEIM – The city of Anaheim plans to relocate all city-owned power lines in high fire-risk areas underground by 2026. This bold step is part of a long-standing initiative designed to enhance utility reliability and reduce the risk of wildfires that plague California. The project, which began in this summer, aims to improve the safety and aesthetics of the area while minimizing the potential for utility-caused fires.
Over the past three decades, Anaheim has actively worked towards burying power lines, with the program commencing in 1990. An impressive 162 miles of power lines in Anaheim Hills traverse areas marked by high fire risk. Currently, 98% of these lines are buried, with the remaining seven segments expected to be completed by late 2024. The segments under construction include locations near Deer Canyon, Oak Canyon Nature Center, and a line off Nohl Ranch Road.
The underground power line conversion is underway with significant progress already made. So far, Anaheim has successfully completed approximately 140 miles of the conversion, equating to 58% of its overall goal of burying a total of 240 miles of overhead lines by 2040. This ongoing endeavor is financed by a 4% surcharge on utility bills, with annual costs estimated around $15 million.
The need for this project is underscored by concerns highlighted in a 2022 California State Audit, which indicated that buried power lines are less susceptible to damage from high winds and falling trees—major contributors to utility-related wildfires. In light of this, the city anticipates that converting to underground utilities will also reduce the necessity for power shutoff events during hazardous conditions.
Despite Anaheim’s efforts, larger regional transmission lines managed by Southern California Edison (SCE) remain above ground, and their future underground placement is contingent on SCE’s decisions. This concern follows a spate of significant wildfires across California linked to utility infrastructure, including the devastating Camp Fire and the Eaton fire, reinforcing the urgency of this initiative.
Beyond enhancing safety, the removal of overhead power lines aims to improve the visual appearance of Anaheim’s neighborhoods. Much of Anaheim Hills features underground utilities due to the area’s newer residential developments, reflecting a proactive approach to fire hazard management.
In recent historical context, the Freeway Complex and Canyon 2 fires were not attributed to utility issues, further highlighting the importance of ensuring power lines do not contribute to fire risks. However, the 2022 state audit revealed that nearly 40,000 miles of bare power lines are located in areas deemed high fire threat across California, with about 10,000 miles owned by SCE.
Continuously assessing the conversion of remaining overhead power lines is crucial as Anaheim officials respond to changes in fire hazard severity zone maps issued by Cal Fire, with the latest updates completed in 2023 prompting evaluations of existing poles and power lines.
As the city of Anaheim moves forward with its ambitious underground power line project, efforts continue to create a safer and more reliable energy infrastructure, promoting the long-term safety and well-being of its residents in the face of California’s wildfire challenges.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Anaheim Power Line Initiative
- Wikipedia: Wildfire
- Spectrum News: Underground Power Cables
- Google Search: California wildfires
- Daily Faceoff: Anaheim Ducks Line Combinations
- Google Scholar: Utility Infrastructure Wildfires
- New York Times: Jackson Lacombe Ducks Defense
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fire Safety
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
