DUTCH FLAT, CA (MPG) - Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is working to underground powerlines in Dutch Flat, Gold Run, Alta and Monte Vista in Placer County.

PG&E is hosting an open house where utility representatives will be on hand to explain the process and answer questions. Drop in anytime during the open hours.

PG&E Undergrounding Open House

Alta Community Hall

33950 Alta Bonnynook Rd., Alta

Tuesday, Sept. 24 from 5 to 7 p.m.

PG&E expects to complete about 6 miles of underground lines this year and about another 18 miles in 2025 and 2026.

PG&E contractors will complete most of the work, which involves trenching in roadways and roadsides.

Burying powerlines is the most effective solution to reduce the risk of wildfire from electrical equipment, as it eliminates nearly all wildfire ignition risk from a line once it is moved underground. Undergrounding also makes power more reliable by reducing outages caused by winter storms and strong winds and, in some cases, reduces the need for safety-related power shutoffs.

“We at PG&E are deeply committed to doing everything we can to prevent wildfires in the communities we serve and live in,” said Joe Wilson, Vice President of PG&E’s North Valley & Sierra Region. “Our region has been devastated by wildfires in recent years. Undergrounding work protects our communities.”

Work is currently underway along Main Street, Fifth Ave, Sacramento Street, Ridge Road and adjacent side streets. 

Work hours are Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with occasional one-way traffic controls of no more than 10 minutes. 

Throughout Placer County, PG&E is planning to complete 35 miles of undergrounding this year, with another 88 miles planned to be completed through 2025 and 2026. In addition to the work in and near Dutch Flat, Gold Run and Monte Vista, undergrounding work will take place in areas north of Auburn, in and near Foresthill and Yankee Jims, around Colfax and Shady Glen, and in and north of Washington.

The work is part of PG&E’s Community Wildfire Safety Program and is in response to California’s growing wildfire risk. Undergrounding is just one of many layers of wildfire protection that PG&E uses to reduce wildfire risk. To help keep the communities we serve safe, PG&E is also addressing trees and vegetation to ensure they are a safe distance from our powerlines, upgrading overhead lines, employing a network of weather stations and cameras to better detect extreme weather and wildfires, utilizing Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings, and more.

PG&E remains committed to undergrounding 10,000 miles of powerlines in high-risk areas as part of our wildfire mitigation efforts because moving powerlines underground is the most effective solution to permanently reducing wildfire risk, improving reliability and reducing costs over the long term.