Submission + - Idle power lines can cause fires (mercurynews.com)
larryjoe writes: In a story about how wildfires in California can be caused, a "line idle for decades has been accused of starting the LA area’s deadly Eaton Fire.
"Sometimes the utilities that own idled lines disconnect them from the power grid, cutting off the flow of electricity through the cables. Other times, they don’t, keeping them energized. California regulations require the companies to remove power lines they don’t anticipate using again, but there’s no set deadline. The companies can keep idled lines in place if they foresee needing them in the future, so long as they’re regularly inspected and maintained.
"Even those that have been unplugged from the grid can potentially pose a danger.
"The line under scrutiny due to the Eaton Fire is owned by Edison International’s Southern California utility and was retired in 1971. Under normal circumstances, it carries no electricity, according to the company. Lawyers suing Edison allege that a Jan. 7 power surge on a nearby, active line created a magnetic field that briefly re-energized the dormant cable, setting off the sparks that ignited the blaze. Edison said in a state filing that it is investigating that theory. State investigators have yet to announce a cause for the fire."
Separately, "[in 2021], the utilities commission fined owner PG&E Corp. $40 million for not removing the line [that caused the Kincade Fire that scorched 77,700 acres], among other violations. PG&E, the state’s largest utility, agreed to remove 72 permanently abandoned transmission lines — representing about 260 miles (418 kilometers) of dormant cables. The work could cost as much as $268 million spread over 10 years, the company estimated at the time. PG&E had removed 64 of the idled lines by the end of 2024, according to a spokesman."
At a cost of about $1 million to remove one mile of idle line, the cost is significant and challenging.
"Sometimes the utilities that own idled lines disconnect them from the power grid, cutting off the flow of electricity through the cables. Other times, they don’t, keeping them energized. California regulations require the companies to remove power lines they don’t anticipate using again, but there’s no set deadline. The companies can keep idled lines in place if they foresee needing them in the future, so long as they’re regularly inspected and maintained.
"Even those that have been unplugged from the grid can potentially pose a danger.
"The line under scrutiny due to the Eaton Fire is owned by Edison International’s Southern California utility and was retired in 1971. Under normal circumstances, it carries no electricity, according to the company. Lawyers suing Edison allege that a Jan. 7 power surge on a nearby, active line created a magnetic field that briefly re-energized the dormant cable, setting off the sparks that ignited the blaze. Edison said in a state filing that it is investigating that theory. State investigators have yet to announce a cause for the fire."
Separately, "[in 2021], the utilities commission fined owner PG&E Corp. $40 million for not removing the line [that caused the Kincade Fire that scorched 77,700 acres], among other violations. PG&E, the state’s largest utility, agreed to remove 72 permanently abandoned transmission lines — representing about 260 miles (418 kilometers) of dormant cables. The work could cost as much as $268 million spread over 10 years, the company estimated at the time. PG&E had removed 64 of the idled lines by the end of 2024, according to a spokesman."
At a cost of about $1 million to remove one mile of idle line, the cost is significant and challenging.
