The Nov. 13 windstorm caused a number of electrical outages in our area. It should be interesting to note that no outages were caused by failing transmission lines. In our area, this has been the case for the last 25 years. About 95 percent of power outages on the Eastside are caused by failing distribution lines and failing transformers.

This is one of many reasons the East Bellevue Community Council opposed the building of new 115 Kv transmission lines along 148th. They will do almost nothing to increase electrical reliability.

Of course, in my little area of Conifer Crest it is extremely unusual for us to lose power and we did not during the recent story. Perhaps there might be a correlation between underground distribution lines, we have them, and our more reliable power. I suggest it would improve the reliability of electrical service if the city and Puget Sound Energy put a plan in place to underground neighborhood distribution lines. I suggest it would do far more to divert the $3 million-plus from the 148th transmission line project to such an effort. This is stated as a goal in the long-range Comprehensive Plan for Bellevue already. But such a project would not have the potential rate of return to PSE as an underground distribution line project.

Gerald Hughes

Bellevue