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Council adopts Graham Street Underground Utility District using $1.7 million in Rule 20A credits
Summary
The council unanimously established Graham Street Underground Utility District No. 1; Southern California Edison will underground seven utility poles along Graham Street using expiring Rule 20A credits with no cost to the city or property owners.
The City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Wednesday to establish the Graham Street Underground Utility District No. 1, approving a project that will use $1,700,000 in expiring Rule 20A credits from Southern California Edison to underground overhead utilities along a civic corridor.
Public Works staff and engineer Mankalakiri told the council the Rule 20A program, administered by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), provides credits for projects that convert overhead facilities to underground when they serve high public benefit areas. The recommendation would underground seven utility poles and associated overhead wiring on the east side of Graham Street from Orange Avenue south roughly 1,200 feet, adjacent to the community center and Oak Knoll Park. SCE will design and construct the project and coordinate other utilities. The project is fully funded through the Rule 20A credits and therefore requires no financial contribution from the city or affected property owners, staff said. (Public Works presentation.)
The city engineer confirmed the area’s eligibility under Rule 20A and staff said the project aims to improve the corridor’s aesthetics and reduce visual clutter; current estimates place completion in 2028. No public speakers opposed the proposal during the hearing. The council voted to adopt the engineer’s report and establish the district unanimously. (City Engineer; Council vote: unanimous.)
Why it matters: the project improves a civic and recreational corridor without drawing on city funds, using CPUC Rule 20A credits managed through Southern California Edison. It will affect streetscape and construction activity along Graham Street and has an estimated multi‑year completion timeline.
What’s next: SCE will move the project into design and pre‑construction; staff will coordinate sequencing, schedule and utility relocations and return to council with any required construction notices and updates.
