A fallen tree on top of downed power lines

Why doesn’t the US bury its power lines?

Ted Kury

It is nearing the end of a highly destructive hurricane season in the United States. The devastation of Hurricane Florence in North and South Carolina caused more than 1.4 million customers to lose power, and Hurricane Michael has cut service to an estimated 900,000 customers in Florida, Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas. Dr. Ted Kury, director of energy studies at the Public Utility Research Center, explains why burying power lines to secure them from natural disasters, like hurricanes, might not be the best solution people are looking for. Read Dr. Kury’s full explanation in his updated article for The Conversation.