Charleston Approved New Power Line Undergrounding Deal

Operators should monitor new utility district requirements and project notification timelines under the city's latest agreement.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Utilities

Isometric editorial illustration of a utility cable section in an open trench, representing urban infrastructure policy. — The Charleston City Council approved new utility agreements with Dominion Energy and Berkeley Electric Cooperative to standardize underground power line installation processes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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

The Charleston City Council has granted first-reading approval to updated agreements with Dominion Energy and Berkeley Electric Cooperative regarding underground power line installation. These new terms replace electric and gas agreements that have remained unchanged since 1996.

Why it matters

The modernization of these utility agreements impacts project scheduling and funding mechanisms for infrastructure improvements. This shift aims to standardize the process for undergrounding power lines while managing costs through dedicated revenue streams.

The city and Dominion Energy will each allocate 0.5% of annual electric sales to undergrounding, with a 7% maximum fee cap on utility district customer bills. The agreements establish a 20-year term to replace the 1996 framework.

The players

Charleston City Council

The municipal legislative body responsible for setting local utility policy and infrastructure development agreements in Charleston.

Dominion Energy

A major energy provider that operates electric and gas infrastructure across multiple states, including regional service in South Carolina.

Berkeley Electric Cooperative

A member-owned utility provider that distributes power to residential and business customers in the Charleston area.

The details

Under the new framework, the city matches every dollar Dominion Energy spends on approved undergrounding projects. Projects affecting more than 25 customers may trigger a referendum to form an underground utility district, while projects failing to secure easements within six months will be removed from the list. Construction impacting traffic requires 10 business days of notice for any project exceeding 14 days.

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 marks a comprehensive modernization of the city's 1996-era regulatory framework for utility infrastructure. It updates the operating relationship between the municipality and regional energy providers to accommodate modern undergrounding requirements.

Business owners should review how potential underground utility district referendums could impact their operational continuity and local utility billing. Confirm if your facility sits in an area slated for undergrounding to prepare for potential site access and traffic notification requirements.

The takeaway

Operators must proactively manage site easement requirements, as projects will be dropped if easements are not secured within six months. Track any utility district referendum proceedings in your specific neighborhood to anticipate changes to your recurring electrical service costs.