SoCal halts plans for buildings under power lines

subscribe

Southern California's major electrical utility says it's canceling plans to allow buildings to go up under its highest-voltage electric lines.

Southern California Edison vice president Steven Conroy says in a statement that the company is changing its policy because permanent structures would stop it from safely maintaining and inspecting its steel towers and thick transmission lines.

The utility had planned to raise millions of dollars by leasing out valuable real estate under its web of high-voltage towers.

Firefighters opposed the construction because they said it posed a fire hazard, while neighbors said the buildings would lead to blight.

Los Angeles County recently changed its building codes to ban permanent structures under major transmission lines.

But Conroy says Edison decided independently to halt its construction plans.

Related News

Washington County planning officials develop proposed recommendations for solar farms

WASHINGTON - Incentives for establishing solar farms at industrial spaces instead of on prime farmland are among the ideas the Washington County Planning Commission is recommending for the county to update its policies regarding solar farms.

Potential incentives would include tax breaks on solar equipment and requiring developers to put power-grid connections and line extensions underground, Planning Commission members said during a Monday meeting.

The tax break could make it more attractive for a developer to put a solar farm on a roof or over a parking lot, which could cost more than putting it on farmland, said Commission member Dave Kline,…

READ MORE

840 million people have no electricity – World Bank must fund more energy projects

READ MORE

power station

California Blackouts reveal lapses in power supply

READ MORE

alberta breaks record for electricity consumption

Alberta breaks summer electricity record, still far short of capacity

READ MORE

bucket truck workers

Texas utilities struggle to restore power as Harvey hampers progress

READ MORE