Would BPA consider placing transmission lines underground?
Yes. Underground transmission lines will be considered. However, placing high-voltage transmission lines underground has many constraints. It is generally cost prohibitive, often 10 times the cost of overhead lines. In addition, underground lines require continuous trenches for construction and continuous access for maintenance and repairs. Buried lines also pose added reliability concerns as it takes much longer to locate a problem and reach a buried line for repairs than it does for overhead lines.
