658 CONFERENCE ON NATURAL BEAUTY 



to 1 less than 10 years ago. Utilities are urged to accelerate and 

 strengthen their endeavors in this direction. 



2. Wherever possible, consideration should be given to changing 

 the overhead to underground construction. Endeavors should be 

 continued and intensified to improve the appearance of overhead- 

 type construction both for new construction and for the rehabilitation 

 of existing construction. 



3. Because other utility services are involved, such as communi- 

 cation, gas, water, and sewer, encouragement should be given to the 

 joint use of rights-of-way, either existing (such as transportation) or 

 entirely new ones. The panel recommends that utilities explore the 

 possibilities of greater coordination of the joint use of rights-of-way 

 and common trench for such service. 



4. It is extremely important that the general public and interested 

 groups in particular have more information on the reasons why over- 

 head high-voltage transmission lines are different from high-voltage 

 underground transmission lines. There is no simple resolution of 

 the subject. Cost ratio alone is of the magnitude of 20 or more for 

 underground as compared to 1 of overhead. The panel recom- 

 mends that the entire electric power industry intensify its public 

 information program on the subject. 



5. Moreover, improvements have been and should be further 

 undertaken to improve overhead transmission line design, construc- 

 tion, and routing to achieve general aesthetic acceptance. There 

 must be recognition also that in certain areas aesthetics may call for 

 underground construction to the extent possible instead of overhead 

 construction. 



6. An extensive program of research and development in the 

 electric power industry has already been undertaken in both overhead 

 and underground transmission. Even though much is being done, 

 the panel recommends a still greater endeavor in the field of research 

 and development to the end that systems and equipment be devel- 

 oped for the efficient and economic transmission of electric energy 

 at high voltages underground over long distances and thus attain 

 greater aesthetic acceptance. 



7. Public authorities Federal, State, and local are importantly 

 concerned with these matters of underground and overhead facilities. 

 The panel recommends that all of the influencing factors must be 

 objectively and thoughtfully considered by cognizant authorities in 

 determining what is best and appropriate in achieving aesthetic goals. 



