TIME TO TAKE OUR
WIRES UNDERGROUND
Undergrounding power lines in Racquet Club Estates means a safer, more reliable, and more beautiful neighborhood – with the potential to increase property values by 5-20%.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Overhead lines are a growing risk
Overhead power lines are a leading cause of wind-driven wildfires – like those that have devastated parts of Los Angeles. They’re also prone to outages and detract from the appearance of our neighborhood.
The City of Palm Springs has passed an ordinance that empowers neighborhoods like ours to take the lead on undergrounding utilities. But it requires strong community interest to move forward.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
If enough neighbors are interested
We'll work with the city, utility providers, and engineering experts while keeping you informed every step of the way.
LETTER TO OUR NEIGHBORS
Hello Neighbors,
One of the key initiatives the RCENO board is working on in the coming year is the undergrounding of utility lines. This has taken on much more urgency after the devastating fires in LA, of which at least one was caused by power lines. The good news is the City of Palm Springs has put in place an ordinance that allows neighborhoods to underground their lines. Read more about Public Utilities Commission—Rule 20 >>
The challenge is that this is a complicated process and there are some significant hurdles to overcome if we want to move forward. Myself and some of the board members are educating ourselves and are having an active dialogue with the city on this topic. Our friends at Old Las Palmas are much farther along and had a kick off meeting for their undergrounding efforts on April 23, 2025. Read more about the meeting in The Palm Sprints Post article “Palm Springs neighborhood launches first-of-its-kind utility undergrounding project”.
Finally, we are looking for folks to join the Racket Club Undergrounding subcommittee to help us move this forward for our neighborhood. If you are interested please reach out to us at: rcenorg@gmail.com.
Thank you!
Cameron Saless
Chair, Racquet Club Estates Neighborhood Organization Board of Advisors
BENEFITS OF UNDERGROUNDING
What changes for the neighborhood
Fire Safety
Reduces risk of wildfire ignition during high winds.
Property value
Studies show undergrounding can increase values by 5–20%.
Curb appeal
No more poles, wires, or transformers cluttering our views.
Power reliability
Fewer outages from storms, wind, or accidents.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
We've made progress on cost estimates
Over the past several months, we've been working with the City of Palm Springs and engineering consultants to develop a real cost estimate for undergrounding the utility lines in Racquet Club Estates. We now have planning-level numbers for what this project would cost and what it could mean for individual homeowners.
Before we move forward, we want to hear from you. We've put together a short survey to understand how much support exists in our neighborhood for undergrounding, and what homeowners feel comfortable paying if the project moves ahead.
If you'd like to explore the numbers yourself first, our cost & property value estimator lets you plug in your own property value and see planning-level estimates for your assessment. It's for general reference only — actual bond terms will be finalized separately.
FAQS
Common questions
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Most of the cost is covered by a 25 year bond which is paid through an increase in property taxes.
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Enhanced Safety
Underground power lines eliminate the risk of downed live wires from storms, car accidents, or fallen trees.
In wildfire-prone areas like Palm Springs, undergrounding can significantly reduce fire ignition risk, helping protect homes and lives.
Especially important for families, seniors, and anyone concerned about emergency access and evacuation.
Fewer Power Outages
Underground systems are far less susceptible to outages from storms, wind, or equipment failure.
That means less disruption to your daily life, fewer spoiled groceries, and less risk to vital systems like air conditioning during extreme heat.
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Increased Property Value
Studies show undergrounding can increase home values by 5% to 20%, particularly in areas where views and aesthetics are a major selling point.
Buyers prefer clean streetscapes with no poles or wires obstructing mountain or desert views.
Quieter and More Peaceful
No humming transformers or buzzing wires near your yard or bedroom window.
Fewer utility trucks blocking the street for repairs or maintenance.
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Long-Term Cost Benefits
While undergrounding requires upfront investment, it saves money over time through reduced maintenance, fewer emergency repairs, and potential insurance savings.
Some property owners may also benefit from lower energy losses due to improved infrastructure efficiency.
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Read about the Old Las Palmas Utility Undergrounding Project.
REFERENCES
Related Resources
MAP OF UTILITY LINES