Jan. 2, 2026 7 AM PT
To the editor: One other wind occasion, one other spherical of downed energy traces and fallen bushes — and as soon as once more, Californians are left holding their breath, ready to see what burns subsequent (“Powerful winds down trees and power lines in SoCal; Highway 118 closed in Moorpark,” Dec. 29).
The Los Angeles Division of Water and Energy, Southern California Edison and different main utilities proceed to depend on outdated above-ground energy traces regardless of the plain and repeated penalties. These traces snap in excessive winds, spark fires, knock out energy and place complete communities in danger. In a state already devastated by wildfire after wildfire, that is not an inconvenience — it’s negligence.
Not solely are energy traces harmful; they’re additionally aesthetically ugly and environmentally damaging. Millions of trees have been chopped down merely to make room for poles and clearance zones, all whereas we speak endlessly about sustainability and local weather accountability.
The answer is neither radical nor new: Put the traces underground. Underground utilities are far less likely to fail throughout wind occasions, dramatically reduce fire risk and permit us to revive bushes and inexperienced areas as an alternative of reducing them down. Varied cities and countries have achieved this efficiently. California can too.
What number of extra neighborhoods have to burn to the bottom earlier than we act? What number of evacuations, insurance coverage disasters and life disruptions do we have to see earlier than prevention lastly outweighs revenue and inertia?
It’s time to bury the traces, replant the bushes and construct a safer, extra lovely metropolis and state.
Donald Flaherty, Burbank
