$300 Million Core Undergrounding and Reliability Improvement Program
Our core reliability program is designed to better protect our delivery system against the forces of nature. This three-year effort (approximately $100 million per year) includes substantial underground cabling in areas where undergrounding is feasible, improves reliability, and makes economic sense. Through this program, AmerenUE is targeting projects with the greatest potential to improve reliability and avoid “life cycle” costs, in particular those due to tree-trimming. Many of the projects will address areas most vulnerable to severe weather-related outages.
We believe we will complete roughly 1,000 projects of various sizes during the three-year period. All 62 counties in our service area will benefit from this effort. Three-year investments in reliability upgrades will range from more than $120 million in St. Louis County to $75,000 in 11 counties with fewer than 250 customers. County-by-county upgrade investments generally reflect the number of customers served.
The project planning, design, and construction represent a major collaborative effort between AmerenUE, county and municipal governments, the region’s contracting industry, and AmerenUE customers. AmerenUE also has identified some “must-do” undergrounding projects that supersede the local government engagement process. In all cases, the upgrades will be designed to improve reliability vs. the cosmetic appearance of the system.
|
