Key Biscayne Master Plan 043944000.18w_Key_Biscayne_MP(forJooMag) | Page 14

VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITIES — MASTER PLAN
the reliability benefits, the Village Council decided that a conversion of the
overhead utilities to an underground location should be pursued. In the
fall of 2016 a feasibility study was prepared that discussed the conversion
process in general terms and provided a conceptual schedule and opinion
of cost. After the feasibility study was received, and through numerous
public meetings and discussions, the process moved forward to begin
a master planning process. An Underground Utility Task Force (UUTF)
comprised of citizens of the Village was formed and began to provide
guidance and recommendations to the Village Council on the underground
utility conversion.
In June of 2018, the Village Council approved a resolution to engage a
financial consultant to begin working on an assessment methodology
to figure out if that would be the best way to assess residents for these
improvements. The assessment methodology report will identify several
distinct, direct, and special benefits derived from an underground
utility system consisting of improved safety, reliability, and aesthetics
of these facilities within the Village. A brief description of each of these
attributes follows:
Safety: An underground utility system is generally safer than an
overhead utility system because the electric and communication
cables and equipment are less accessible to accidental contact with
the public and the elements. For example, during windstorm events
overhead facilities may be blown down, creating impacts to property
and exposing the public to the risk of electric shock. Additionally,
routine maintenance of landscaping may cause accidental contact with
overhead powerlines causing a risk of electric shock.
Reliability: Based on a report entitled Out of Sight, Out of Mind, An
Updated Study on the Undergrounding of Overhead Power Lines by
the Edison Electric Institute (2012), an underground utility system is
generally more reliable than an overhead utility system because it is less
susceptible to impacts from weather events, exposure to wildlife, and
contact with vegetation. This is further supported by findings recently
reported to the Public Service Commission by FPL. They found their
underground systems outperformed their overhead systems in average
interruption duration and average interruption frequency by 80%. The
fundamental design concepts of underground utility systems also
create reliability benefits. For example, a typical neighborhood street
in Key Biscayne is served by an overhead radial line connected to a
Example of Overhead Utilities in Key Biscayne
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