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.

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.