If you follow politics, you know one of the major subjects that is being discussed right now at federal and state levels is the need for more energy efficiency, including smart grid technology. This policy conversation is trickling all the way down to the neighborhood. For years, Oregon Hill has had, shall we say, an interesting relationship with Dominion Power. But what this post is about is the simple service of electric voltage. No doubt it is a challenge with all of the new heat pumps/air conditioning and explosion in computers and appliances in the midst of a historic, working class neighborhood. Yet, the time has come for Dominion Power to spend the money to upgrade the network in Oregon Hill and fulfill its obligations to citizens, as according to the State Corporation Commission. Too many neighbors have their lights flicker, too many neighbors have their hard drives fail, too many have to replace their heat pumps far too soon.
And its not just Dominion Power. Verizon has promised Richmond more choices and competition with its new FIOS service. Since many of the utility poles in Oregon Hill are in fact owned by Verizon (with the City managing many of the right-a-ways), if Dominion is adding transformers and additional service, so should Verizon. Ideally, we would have buried utility lines to add beauty and reliability for our historic neighborhood, but we have been told its too expensive (yet it does not seem to be a problem for VCU). This neighborhood is right next to downtown and has seen property rates and taxes go up considerably. Although it has prided itself on its independence and continues to push for more self-sufficiency (expect more on this soon), Oregon Hill demands and deserves better services. If our City representatives are worth a damn, they would be all over this.
Utility burial needs to happen all across downtown. It’s ridiculous to see the tangle of lines and poles in Shockoe Bottom and around VCU’s new building and the Jefferson. UGLY!
What people dont understand is the difficulty and cost of intalling underground electrical primary and services in a old/compact city like richmond. There is a vast network of gas, sewer, water and electrical services already under the roads. In a time of financial hardship are we seriously upset about the way our power lines look? They have been there since the 50’s. Be glad that Dominion is still a stable company and can be one of the largest employers in Richmond.
Dominion Power rocks.
As I said in the post, VCU has the utility lines buried all the time.
Why should Oregon Hill settle for an antique grid?
Just because it employs a lot of people? How about they employ some more people and get the grid upgraded?
Actually, in Oregon Hill, Dominion Power does not rock, it sputters. We would not have uneven voltage if it rocked.
I wasn’t aware that Oregon Hill had electricity.
Underground service can cost as much as 10 times as overhead. The additional cost would be borne by consumers, many of whom have trouble paying for their present service. Basically, it’s put out or put up with what we have. For the most part, it’s reliable and less expensive than what other parts of the country pay for electricity.
VCU pays to put those lines underground. In theory, any resident could pay to have their service come to their house underground, from the overhead line, but that doesn’t help with the distribution lines.
If the neighborhood association had tons of money, they could pay to have the Oregon Hill lines put underground too. I think the city of Norfolk is doing this for part of the city-owned property, on some revitalization project.
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