Undergrounding Powerline Information
OVERHEAD POWER LINES TO BE RELOCATED UNDERGROUND.
The City of Happy Valley has made it a priority to underground utility lines.
Underground Benefits
Reliability, Security and Natural Beauty
- Underground lines tend to be more reliable during storms, especially in tree-heavy areas and regions that tend to have more wind and ice in winter.
- Underground lines are less susceptible to acts of vandalism.
- Higher reliability can have a positive economic impact by reducing outage time for businesses.
Safety
- Underground lines mean less risk to the public from downed lines or traffic accidents where someone hits a pole.
- Safer for pets and wildlife, and less susceptible to wildlife-related outages.
- Lowers risk of wildfires caused by downed lines.
Natural Beauty
- Improves aesthetics.
Immediate Undergrounding City Projects
- King Road
- 129th Avenue Learn more about these projects.
Once these projects are complete, the City will work with PGE and residents to identify additional lines to be placed underground.
UNDERGROUNDING UTILITY LINES IS EXPENSIVE. TO FUND THIS PROGRAM, THE CITY INCREASED RIGHT-OF-WAY USE FEE CHARGED TO PGE. PGE PASSES THIS FEE ONTO ITS CUSTOMERS AND SHOWS ON BILLS AS CITY OF HAPPY VALLEY TAX.
How this affects your PGE bill – This increase to fund undergrounding will take effect starting September 1, 2023
Residential customers: The average PGE bill is $128.92. Most residential customers will see an increase of about $4.51 added to their monthly bill.
Business customers: The average PGE bill is $238.35. Most business customers will see an increase of about $6.61 added to their monthly bill.
How this appears on your PGE bill
Bills in Happy Valley already have a line called “City of Happy Valley Tax (1.5%).”
This fee increase will increase the amount and will now appear as: City of Happy Valley Tax (5.0%).
QUESTIONS?
Your PGE bill?
Contact:
Ben Bryant
(503) 886-8440
Assistant City Manager
Undergrounding projects?
Contact:
Chris Randall
(503) 886-8442
Public Works Director