Utilities have long treated pole fixes as O&M—a cost with no return. That’s changing as regulators signal openness to classify systematic pole reinforcement as capital investment. (T&D World)
Why it matters: Moving pole work into the rate base transforms a budget drag into a capital asset, spreading cost over decades while locking in regulated returns. PG&E and SCE have already secured CPUC approval to capitalize life-extension programs.
New reinforcement tech can extend pole life by up to 30 years at a fraction of replacement costs—while also adding wildfire and weather resistance.