Edison plans to bury 11 miles of Laguna Beach power lines

Southern California Edison plans to move 11 miles of electric lines underground in Laguna Beach high fire-risk areas beginning next year, Voice of OC reported. The work would remove Edison power lines from overhead poles, but phone, cable and internet lines would remain above ground.

The utility described the work as its largest targeted undergrounding investment in Orange County, according to Voice of OC. City officials said the scope would be difficult for Laguna Beach to finance on its own, with one estimate putting the cost at $40 million to $50 million.

According to Voice of OC, Edison is advancing five undergrounding projects in Laguna Beach: Agate Circuit, Artist Circuit, Kewamee Circuit, Rubin Circuit and Acres Circuit. Three of the projects are along Pacific Coast Highway.

The Agate Circuit project would add about 1.5 miles of underground infrastructure and is in permitting, Voice of OC reported. Artist Circuit would add about 1.3 miles and Kewamee Circuit about 1.6 miles, both in design and permitting, while Rubin Circuit would add about 3.43 miles toward Aliso Viejo and Acres Circuit about 2.85 miles near Top of the World and Canyon Acres.

The projects are part of Edison’s Targeted Undergrounding program, which is funded through the utility’s general rate case and approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, according to Voice of OC. The work can include excavation, trenching, asphalt restoration and installation of vaults, manholes or conduits, with possible power outages.

“We wouldn’t be able to do this level of work that Edison is doing on our own, it’s just too expensive, it’s too comprehensive.” Laguna Beach Councilmember Bob Whalen said during the Sept. 22 meeting, according to Voice of OC. Acting Public Works Director Tom Perez said creating rule 20 districts would take too long because the five projects must be finished by the end of 2028, the outlet reported.

Edison Senior Advisor Ray Ravith Pok said the work is focused on eligible high fire-risk areas. “It’s really the areas that we are limited to target our undergrounding,” Pok said at the meeting, according to Voice of OC. Pok also said communications providers are not part of the same wildfire-mitigation funding structure: “The communications companies just don’t really have the resources dedicated that we have for wildfire mitigation,” he said.

Edison Government Relations Manager Kelly Lee said the Laguna Beach work stands out in Orange County. “In the County of Orange, it is our largest investment in targeted undergrounding, and as you know, it does mitigate wildfire and ensure a resilient and reliable grid.”