Charleston Approved New Utility Undergrounding Plan

The city council reached a long-term agreement with Dominion Energy to transition overhead power lines underground.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Utilities

Charleston Approved New Utility Undergrounding Plan

Live Poll

Should the city enforce stricter completion timelines for local power line burial projects?

Charleston City Council gave first-reading approval on October 13, 2026, to a new 20-year agreement with Dominion Energy for underground power line installation. This plan replaces city electric and gas agreements that have remained unchanged since 1996.

Why it matters

The deal establishes a modernized framework for municipal utility management and creates a dedicated funding mechanism for undergrounding projects that had not been addressed for three decades. Officials project that the new terms will not negatively impact current electric rates.

The city and Dominion Energy will each commit 0.5% of annual electric sales to undergrounding projects, with the city matching every dollar the utility spends. Fees for resulting underground utility districts are capped at 7% of a customer's electric bill.

The players

Charleston City Council

This is the municipal legislative body responsible for governing the city of Charleston and approving its public utility infrastructure contracts.

Dominion Energy

This is a major energy company that provides electricity and gas services to a vast number of customers across multiple regions.

Berkeley Electric Cooperative

This utility provider operates as a cooperative and is a party to a companion agreement regarding local underground power line installation.

The details

Under the new agreement, projects failing to secure easements within six months will be removed from the list and must reapply for consideration. Major projects involving more than 25 customers may be subject to a referendum, while work lasting up to 14 days requires 10 business days of public notice.

1996: Original electric and gas agreements were established.
October 13, 2026: City Council gave first-reading approval to the agreement.
6 months: Time limit to secure easements before project removal.
10 business days: Notice required for projects lasting up to 14 days.
20 years: Initial term of the new agreement.

Market Landscape

This agreement replaces the 1996 municipal electric and gas franchise agreements to modernize how utilities operate within city limits. It positions Charleston to better manage infrastructure growth compared to the previous, static contract model that lacked dedicated undergrounding provisions.

Residents should note that while the city plans to fund these projects through electric sales allocations, fees for new underground utility districts will not exceed 7% of an electric bill. Future project schedules will require significant coordination, including 10 business days of notice for any construction affecting local traffic.

The takeaway

This agreement provides a long-term roadmap for modernizing power infrastructure, though residents should remain aware that projects require community easements to proceed. Property owners should watch for future notifications, as projects that do not secure required easements within six months risk being removed from the installation list.