AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An idea to bury power lines in Austin may not be feasible after Austin Energy released part of its study focusing on underground feasibility. The goal was to determine whether burying power lines could be a defense against the extreme weather conditions the city experiences. Austin promised to take a look at burying power lines. Now what? This comes after the utility announced in February 2024 that the two independent studies would determine the underground feasibility and overhead resiliency of Austin's power lines. Austin Energy worked with consulting firm 1898 & Co. for both studies. “While all these efforts have historically been separate initiatives, we now see the need to bring these together with lessons learned together into one Comprehensive Distribution Resiliency Plan later this year,” said Bob Kahn, Austin Energy General Manager, in a city news release. “This long-range, ongoing plan will outline Austin Energy's strategies to make our grid more reliable and resilient for decades to come.” The studies are tied to the power outages that happened during the winter storm in February 2023. Thousands were without power for several days after the storm froze trees and power lines across Central Texas. Austin’s overhead power lines to be evaluated for possible burial following 2023 winter storm The first study found $50 billion and a decade of work is needed to make it possible. For perspective, the utility's annual budget is $2 billion for the 2025 fiscal year. Outside of funding, there are challenges related to limited space underground. This includes acquiring permits, phone line relocation, rocky soils and traffic disruption, according to the study. However, Austin Energy said it continues to explore other solutions to keep the lights on during times of disaster, such as hardening power lines to make them resistant to damage or malfunction, and adding smart equipment to cut down on the amount of time a power outage lasts. ...read more read less