In this, the Twenty-first Century, our reliance on electrical power is greater than ever. The fact that most of it is supplied by above ground power lines is indicative of a lack of concern about long-term interruptions and the inconveniences they cause. Hurricane Ike, the latest of many, is responsible for yet another. When will we learn to protect our Electrical energy by installing a below-ground power delivery system?
Several years ago, an ice storm in western North Carolina loaded most of the power lines with ice. The power lines were not meant to carry such a heavy weight. Some of them collapsed, leaving a wide area of North Carolina without power. Since many people had been convinced to buy all-electric homes, the problem became severe, and life-threatening in some cases. The ice also loaded many tree branches that would never have come close to the lines but for the weight of the ice. Power loss was severe and widespread. Some of the more inaccessible places waited a much longer time to get power back. For them, it was a matter of weeks, not days.
How often have you experienced a power outage because someone crashed an automobile into a power pole? I'll bet it's been more than once. If you look around your city or town, you'll notice that the power poles run alongside the streets. This must be this way in order for the power companies to be able to reach and service them. But that arrangement makes them vulnerable to damage from traffic.
It's time we considered putting these ugly, but necessary items below ground in well drained and protected conduits. There are many benefits to doing this. They will no longer be vulnerable to weather, traffic or damage from falling tree branches. It will beautify our cities and towns. There will no longer be a need to cut down entire forests of trees just to replace the damaged or just old rotting poles. That one, alone, is very green. There may even be a hidden benefit. Below-ground power is probably less vulnerable to attack by an Electro-Magnetic Pulse, or EMP. Other utilities may choose to use these facilities for many of the same reasons. They could help to defray the costs of installation. In addition, the earth will shield us from the electro-magnetic fields emitted from power lines.
As you can see, there are many good solid reasons to put power lines underground. There is a drawback, though. The cost of installation is higher. But considering all the pros and cons, it is apparent to me that the time to change over is now. If you think about it, I'm sure you will agree.
Jim Hall is a Caveman from another millennium. He's an aspiring author and novelist wanna be. Writing for him is a change of character as well as occupation. Bear with him and he will grow and develop into a writing butterfly after his metamorphosis. He once was a carpenter caterpiller until he entered the chrysalis stage. Breaking out of the cocoon of a previous career is hard work but rewarding work. Like a butterfly, look for great things to come. You never know!
Find him in the EzineArticles Author area. The sales pitch is he is eager to write and he needs cash. He is fairly literate and somewhat well read. Carpenters can read, you know!
The real plus here is he is not bound by the conformity and whims of conventional thought. To him, functionality is beauty. If it works well, it's beautiful. It doesn't have to be pretty.
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