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Strategic Underground Program
This Virginia initiative aims to shorten power restoration times following major storms.
We do this by finding the most outage-prone overhead power lines and moving them underground for protection.
Using a data-driven process, we continually analyze the performance of tap lines over a 10-year period. Those most prone to outages will be considered for placement underground. Trees are the number one cause of power outages. Tap lines, the overhead wires that go into neighborhoods, typically sustain the most damage during storms and require the highest number of repairs.
As areas and neighborhoods are identified, a project team will begin a comprehensive outreach process to work cooperatively with property owners and neighborhood groups on a plan for undergrounding portions of the lines. Our directional drilling technology minimizes the impact to your property, as shown in this video. Dominion Energy will work very closely with property owners to obtain the rights necessary to perform the work.
Check the Status of a Project
To check or track the status of your project, enter any of the following project criteria: address, Work Request Number, or use the interactive map feature.
Moving the most frequently damaged power lines underground will benefit customers by making outages in those areas shorter and less frequent.
When crews don’t have to make as many repairs after a storm, it takes much less time to restore power to all customers.
Faster power restoration means that life returns to normal more quickly. This decreases the economic impact on homes and businesses across the area.
However, moving lines underground is not a cure-all for power outages. Most underground electric service connects to overhead lines. These lines are exposed to weather, trees, animals and vehicle accidents. Because of this, major storms could still affect large numbers of customers.
While outages may still occur, undergrounding the most frequently damaged power lines will increase the overall reliability of our distribution system.
We Want to Hear from You
Have we recently completed a Strategic Underground project in your area? Please provide your feedback.
Now that your property has newly installed underground facilities, remember to call 811 before any digging project and dig with care.
For additional information and for any customer service needs, call 866-366-4357.
"Everyone involved with the project did a great job, professional, tidy, friendly."
Judy, Chesapeake, VA
"It was very important to us that you had someone accessible to answer all our questions as we moved along. Good work."
Kay, Woodbridge, VA
"I want to commend the contractor who was my contact throughout, excellent skills, excellent professionalism, and helpful throughout.
Carol, Richmond, VA