About 20 years ago there was a lot of agitation here about running new
>above surface high-voltage transmission lines in urban areas, with the
>eventual outcome that some were turned into underground cables.
>
>It cost more initially, but in the long run they will be more reliable and
>generally beneficial to the community in many ways.
For one thing with transmission lines buried you don't have to worry that the lines will be affected by wind (such as with a hurricane or tornado) or be affected by heavy snow or ice on the wires. Not to mention that aesthetically it makes an area more attractive than having big latticed towers (for high tension lines) or poles for lesser powered lines. And you also don't have to worry about RF radiation.