If you follow politics, you know one of the major subjects that is being discussed right now at federal and state levels is the need for more energy efficiency, including smart grid technology. This policy conversation is trickling all the way down to the neighborhood. For years, Oregon Hill has had, shall we say, an interesting relationship with Dominion Power. But what this post is about is the simple service of electric voltage. No doubt it is a challenge with all of the new heat pumps/air conditioning and explosion in computers and appliances in the midst of a historic, working class neighborhood. Yet, the time has come for Dominion Power to spend the money to upgrade the network in Oregon Hill and fulfill its obligations to citizens, as according to the State Corporation Commission. Too many neighbors have their lights flicker, too many neighbors have their hard drives fail, too many have to replace their heat pumps far too soon.
And its not just Dominion Power. Verizon has promised Richmond more choices and competition with its new FIOS service. Since many of the utility poles in Oregon Hill are in fact owned by Verizon (with the City managing many of the right-a-ways), if Dominion is adding transformers and additional service, so should Verizon. Ideally, we would have buried utility lines to add beauty and reliability for our historic neighborhood, but we have been told its too expensive (yet it does not seem to be a problem for VCU). This neighborhood is right next to downtown and has seen property rates and taxes go up considerably. Although it has prided itself on its independence and continues to push for more self-sufficiency (expect more on this soon), Oregon Hill demands and deserves better services. If our City representatives are worth a damn, they would be all over this.
