Put wires where they belong: down under

Living in La Crescenta, in the San Gabriel Mountains foothills, we lose power an average of four times on any given windy day. So “Down to the Wires” by Leslee Komaiko (Feb. 9) really interested us. Not only would putting electrical and cable wires underground help alleviate the problem, but it sure would clean up the view. We’ve wished for years that the city of Glendale would consider moving the lines underground. $10,000 billed on my property tax and paid off over 15 years? That would be money well spent. Where do we sign up?

Christina Tinglof

La Crescenta

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Regarding the undergrounding of power lines: Last June, the California Department of Health Services released its “Evaluation of Possible Risks From Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMFs) From Power Lines, Internal Wiring, Electrical Occupations and Appliances.”

Prudent avoidance was recommended when it comes to exposure to elevated levels of EMFs. One way to minimize such exposures, and any possible adverse health effects, is by burying power lines underground.

Testimony last year at California Public Utilities Commission workshops on undergrounding included the need for price competition by the private sector in bidding against the utilities for undergrounding contracts. Of course, all specifications of the CPUC would need to be met by independent contractors, just as they must be by the utilities.

Ellen Stern Harris

Beverly Hills

Harris is executive director of the Fund for the Environment, www.beverlyhillscitizen.org.