Calling All Civil Engineers

Scott Hardie | September 26, 2004
As I sit here typing this from my mother's computer during a hurricane-related power outage at my apartment (no new goo till tomorrow if it doesn't come back on in time), I am forced to wonder: Why in the hell don't we keep more of our power grid underground? Is it expense and effort alone? Major cities have theirs underground, and so do modern neighborhoods in the boonies like this one. So how come half of Sarasota County is without power right now? It's not just hurricane issues, of course; I grew up in Illinois and we lost power during nearly every big storm.

Anna Gregoline | September 26, 2004
I would imagine ease of repair - and perhaps ground water issues and animals?

Lori Lancaster | September 27, 2004
[hidden by request]

Lori Lancaster | September 27, 2004
[hidden by request]

Scott Hardie | September 28, 2004
It knocked out power to most of my area, but most of those affected are now back in business. After dark, all of the neighborhoods around mine are glowing brightly, while mine looks like a ghost town.

John E Gunter | September 28, 2004
We were without power for about 6 hours. Course, we were without cable till Brighthouse ran a new connection from the junction and set up a portable generator, so that we have cable until the power company gets around to reconnecting the junction box. I have so much more respect for Brighthouse and their employees now!

There is a Brighthouse employee sitting in a van right beside the junction box keeping watch on the generator and the connection.

John

Kris Weberg | September 28, 2004
Of course, as the summer blackout on the East Coast proved, it doesn't matter where the lines are if the grid isn't backed up properly at the transformer or plant level.