PG&E replaces transmission lines from Palermo to East Nic

Contract crews have been flying in helicopters to the tops of Pacific Gas & Electric towers this week as part of a project to replace 42 miles of transmission lines between Palermo and East Nicolaus, said spokeswoman Brittany McKannay.

The intended outcome is to increase service reliability for customers in Butte, Sutter and Yuba counties. The new equipment and modernized engineering will increase capacity for the area from 360 amps to 825 amps and improve safety and efficiency.

"We look at the demand of services that are needed and determine if there are areas where we need to improve reliability or increase services," McKannay said.

The line also carries power from hydroelectric powerhouses on the Feather River and around Lake Oroville, and will improve its reliability, she said.

The project started in June and will continue to the end of this year. The conductor replacement requires the removal of lattice steel towers and replacing them with hybrid tubular steel poles, tubular steel poles and lattice steel monopolies.

The resulting towers will be taller, which allows PG&E to transition from 320 towers to 305. During the project, there will be no interruptions in service and the power provider is working with customers to ensure minimal impact, especially on towers in agricultural land, McKannay said.

The cost of the project was not available.

CONTACT Ashley Gebb at agebb@appealdemocrat.com or 749-478. Find her on Facebook at /ADagebb or on Twitter at @ADagebb.