To the editor: One other wind occasion, one other spherical of downed energy strains and fallen timber — and as soon as once more, Californians are left holding their breath, ready to see what burns subsequent (“Highly effective winds down timber and energy strains in SoCal; Freeway 118 closed in Moorpark,” Dec. 29).
The Los Angeles Division of Water and Energy, Southern California Edison and different main utilities proceed to depend on outdated above-ground energy strains regardless of the apparent and repeated penalties. These strains snap in excessive winds, spark fires, knock out energy and place total communities in danger. In a state already devastated by wildfire after wildfire, that is not an inconvenience — it’s negligence.
Not solely are energy strains harmful; they’re additionally aesthetically ugly and environmentally damaging. Hundreds of thousands of timber have been chopped down merely to make room for poles and clearance zones, all whereas we speak endlessly about sustainability and local weather duty.
The answer is neither radical nor new: Put the strains underground. Underground utilities are far much less more likely to fail throughout wind occasions, dramatically cut back hearth danger and permit us to revive timber and inexperienced areas as a substitute of slicing them down. Varied cities and international locations have achieved this efficiently. California can too.
What number of extra neighborhoods have to burn to the bottom earlier than we act? What number of evacuations, insurance coverage disasters and life disruptions do we have to see earlier than prevention lastly outweighs revenue and inertia?
It’s time to bury the strains, replant the timber and construct a safer, extra lovely metropolis and state.
Donald Flaherty, Burbank
