That goes against my intuition. Everything standing about the ground is bound to have things fall over it in an earthquake. Power lines could be much safer under the ground.
From a friend of mine who was trying hard to get the “unsightly” utility poles buried underground - it was just a lack of interest and funds. Just not a priority here.
Almost all new neighborhoods have utility lines buried.
Earthquake or flood so severe that it damages underground power line, damages water and sewer pipes even sooner. So in that case digging must be done anyway.
I don't know what the power-grid considerations are, but much of the SF Bay Area is on fill or other unstable ground which is subject to liquifaction and severe movement in seismic events.
Undergrouding local transmission might increase overall risks of outages / cost of repair.
From a friend of mine who was trying hard to get the “unsightly” utility poles buried underground - it was just a lack of interest and funds. Just not a priority here.
Almost all new neighborhoods have utility lines buried.