Understanding LADWP’s Undergrounding Plans

As part of the Pacific Palisades Community Council Subcommittee on Undergrounding, I have been in ongoing contact with LADWP. Our subcommittee had a productive call with them last Thursday. We held off on sharing details from that conversation until LADWP released their official statement, which is attached.

There is a lot of optimism in the information they provided, but there is still significant work ahead—particularly on the financial side. While there may not be much you can influence directly on the LADWP front, there is a great deal you can do when it comes time to rebuild.

Do not assume your contractor is fully informed about LADWP’s undergrounding plans. Share the attached information with them and require that they visit the Unified Utilities and Rebuild Center (UROC). The center is currently located at the corner of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and PCH, and will be relocating to the LADWP-owned property next to Marquez Elementary.

The more homeowners and contractors utilize this center, the more likely LADWP is to staff it appropriately. With thousands of inspections anticipated—temporary power poles, pole placement, and final meter releases—adequate staffing will be critical to keeping pace with demand.

You should also require your contractor to include an allowance or line item in your budget for installing the proper conduits to accommodate future undergrounding. Even with the many Zoom calls, meetings, and webinars I’ve participated in, I still don’t have all the answers. If I’m deeply involved in these discussions and still learning, I can assure you that your contractor will not have all the information either.

This rebuild will require as much engagement from homeowners as it does from the contractors you hire. LADWP has committed to meeting with us monthly, and I will continue to report back as those conversations move forward.