A historic ice storm in northern Michigan has pushed utilities to reconsider burying power lines as a climate-proofing strategy, despite the significant expense. Underground lines are far less vulnerable to extreme weather events like ice storms, hurricanes, and wildfires, which are intensifying with climate change. But the shift comes with a price tag that has historically deterred widespread adoption.
The emissions impact of undergrounding is indirect but substantial: by preventing weather-related outages, buried lines reduce the need for diesel backup generators and emergency repairs, which produce greenhouse gases. A more resilient grid also supports the integration of renewable energy sources, which are often disrupted when overhead lines fail. However, the concrete and steel used in underground conduit systems carry their own embedded carbon footprint.
Financially, the cost is the primary obstacle. Burying power lines can cost anywhere from $1 million to $10 million per mile, depending on terrain and existing infrastructure, compared to roughly $100,000 per mile for overhead lines. Utilities in northern Michigan are now assessing whether ratepayers will bear these costs or if state and federal resilience funding can offset them. No specific funding figures were cited in available reports.
Geopolitically, the debate mirrors broader infrastructure tensions in the U.S. as extreme weather events become more frequent. Both the Biden administration's grid modernization plans and state-level resilience initiatives have highlighted undergrounding as a priority, but implementation varies widely. The Paris Agreement's emphasis on adaptation aligns with such investments, though U.S. progress remains uneven.
Industry reaction is mixed: some utilities argue that targeted undergrounding in high-risk zones is more cost-effective than full-scale burial. Critics point to maintenance challenges and higher repair costs when underground lines do fail. The ice storm in Michigan has reignited the conversation, but no binding commitments have been announced.