We have one of our eternal projects still under construction for this very reason. It’s absolutely nuts!
But Sacramento doesn’t care – they want us to fail to get SB423 streamlining, then possibly decertify our housing elements and they get BR projects across the state.

On 12/19/2023 1:03 PM PST zrants <zrants@gmail.com> wrote:

By J.K. Dineen : sfchronicle – excerpt A 19-story tower in the heart of downtown Oakland has made headlines both because it is one of the few significant housing developments under construction in the neighborhood and because it is one of the world’s tallest “mass timber” structures.

Developer oWow has been gearing up for a January grand opening of the 236-unit complex at 1510 Webster St. But, last week, company president Andy Ball was shocked to learn that the opening could be delayed by months, and perhaps as much as a year, because of something unexpected: a shortage of electrical transformers.

Ball said he called Pacific Gas & Electric on Dec. 11 to place the order for three subsurface distribution transformers, which transfer electrical energy from one circuit to another. He was told that the equipment would not be available until the second half of 2024 — at the earliest.

“It was a bombshell, the last thing I expected,” Ball said. “They are going to put developers out of business. They are going to destroy projects.”…

Sarkissian said it had informed 540 customers that they have two choices: redesign their projects to use above ground “pad transformers,” or “wait until the equipment becomes available.” Sarkissian cited a study by Edison Electric Institute, an industry association of investor-owned electric utilities, showing that approximately 75% of all utilities are experiencing similar shortages.

The issue is that above ground transformers can be large and unsightly, taking up space better used for retail or housing units or gyms or landscaping. In addition, most urban infill districts, including downtown Oakland, require developers to put their transformers below ground…(more)

How are they going to spin this one to blame the cities? Guess they will have no choice but to relax the requirement for below ground transformers if they want to meet their RHNA deadlines.