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1. Why was the program revised?

In 2012, the Public Utilities Board recommended stopping work on underground utility district 31 and tasked Alameda Municipal Power with revising the undergrounding process due to concerns voiced by residents and Board members. The City Council accepted that recommendation at a Council meeting on July 7, 2012. Specific concerns included:

• Customers were concerned about the out-of-pocket costs associated with undergrounding projects
• The criteria for prioritizing a district were not clearly defined
• Public participation in the program was limited

2. How are the next areas for undergrounding being selected?

The Alameda Municipal Code (Chapter 19) sets the regulations and procedures for the conversion of overhead utility facilities to underground utility facilities through the development of underground utility districts (UUD). In 2017, a district nominating board (DNB), made up of four members of the public and one member of the Public Works Department, reviewed dozens of proposed areas and made recommendations.

A technical advisory committee (TAC) met to examine the technical feasibility of moving lines underground. In the coming months, the TAC will present the recommended underground utility districts to the City Council for approval.