• It’s time for utility lines to be placed underground It’s time for utility lines to be placed underground By CHARLES ROGERS Another hurricane season, with its threat of destruction and the underlying feeling of helplessness waiting for the next
• It’s time for utility lines to be placed underground
It’s time for utility lines to be placed underground
By CHARLES ROGERS
Another hurricane season, with its threat of destruction and the underlying feeling of helplessness waiting for the next storm, is almost over. However, with the advent of the Kaua’i electric co-op the possibility of gaining greater control of our island life is at hand. Each year since 9/11/92 when Hurricane ‘Iniki savaged our beautiful island I wonder when we will suffer another hurricane. But before the next hurricane I hope the residents of Kaua’i will have supported and directed individually and through our representatives for our electric coop to implement a multi-year program to eventually place all power lines underground. While this will raise our rates for the immediate future it will save money in the long-term. As owners of the electric co-op we should protect our investment. Underground transmission lines together with phone lines would have our island better positioned to come back from the destruction we know can occur. We either pay for a plan to progressively protect our investment for the future or after the next hurricane pay for the replacement of the same exposed system. With the greater protection of our power grid we could possibly have power during a storm and more rapidly after a hurricane to speed repairs.
The replacement of all transmission/telephone lines underground would also allow us to advertise the island of Kaua’i as the only Hawaiian island were none of the tropical island beauty is obstructed by ugly power lines and telephone poles. I feel that statement could make us the premier Hawaiian island for tourists.
Overall I feel there are many positive reasons for placement of all power/telephone lines underground. The most important being future monetary savings, possible health concerns, increase in property values, the beautification of our island and the potential to increase tourism on Kaua’i. While we cannot stop hurricanes, we can plan to lessen the damage to our island and pocketbooks.
Charles Rogers is a Kapa’a resident.
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