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 Underground
Distribution Systems (Part 1)
 Sept. 23, 24, 25, 30, Oct. 1, 2, 2025
NOON - 4:00 PM Eastern
REGISTER NOW USING CODE: CL2025
Save $200 by bundling both underground courses!
Learning Environment
Participate in a 60-minute orientation session at Noon on Sept. 22, followed by six (6) live sessions from Noon – 4 pm ET on Sept. 23, 24, 25, 30; Oct. 1, 2. There will be two 10-minute breaks in each session. Unable to make the live sessions? Recordings will be made available (automatically to those who register) a week after each course takes place.
Course Overview
In this comprehensive course, learn all about the effective planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of underground electric distribution systems. Review critical factors involved in the conversion of overhead systems to underground. Discuss operations, safety and regulatory requirements, and hear from an industry cable application engineer about underground cable reliability, failure modes, and testing methods.
Course Topics
- Introduction to underground distribution
- Underground policies and customer service terms/conditions
- Planning and design
- Cable design and application
- Cable failure and testing
- Cable accessories: design, installation and operation
- Cable installation
- Underground transformers
- Basic underground protection and reliability considerations
- Underground safety and operations
- Inspection and maintenance
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For those of you looking for a more comprehensive training, it is highly recommended that you take this course in conjunction with
Advanced Underground Distribution Systems
(November 4-6, 2025).
$200 discount for attending both courses.
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Recommended for
Designed for electric utility engineers, designers, technicians, and field personnel who are responsible for, or who make decisions concerning, distribution systems, as well as those involved in the management, construction, and operations aspects of distribution systems.
This course is conducted at a practical level and is appropriate for degreed engineers and engineering technicians, as well as non-degreed high school graduates with a general knowledge of the electric utility system.
Course Level
Basic/Intermediate: No prerequisites, though some advance preparation is requested, including attending an orientation session on September 22 from noon to 1pm.
All materials will be provided at least two business days prior to the class with access instructions, so they can be downloaded tin advance to take notes on.
Technology Requirements
- Computer: Each attendee needs to work from their own computer, to fully participate in the discussions and exercises.
- Contact Academy@PublicPower.org if you are participating as a group in a conference room.
- Zoom Meeting Access: You’ll need strong Internet access to run the Zoom meeting platform.
- Audio/Webcam: You will need to enable computer audio to listen and speak (alternatively a call-in number will be provided) and you will also need a webcam, so you can fully engage in the small group breakout sessions and group discussions.
- Download the Kahoot! App: The instructors will be using Kahoot during (and after) live sessions and will provide you with the game PIN number needed for each quiz. Go to the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android) and download the free Kahoot! app on your phone.
Accreditation
The following continuing education credits will be provided, after successfully completing 90% of all six live sessions. Certificates will be available by June 6. These sessions will be recorded, though certificates can only be awarded to those who participate in the live events.
Recommended CEUs 2.2 / PDHs 22
What to Bring
Communication
- 24 hours after registering: You’ll receive a confirmation email within 24 hours of registering, which contains some preliminary information.
- 24 hours before: You’ll receive your Zoom log in links the day before the first session in a course (sent from the APPA Academy’s Zoom account <no-reply@zoom.us>)
You’ll also receive a final logistics email 24 hours in advance of the first class.
If you don’t receive this, email EducationInfo@PublicPower.org
Instructors
 Lead Instructor R. John Miner, P.E., is an accomplished executive manager and educator with over 45 years of experience in the electric utility industry. He is president of Collaborative Learning, Inc., of Austin and San Antonio, Texas and has been an APPA instructor for more than 30 years and an instructor for the University of Wisconsin for 20 years. Before forming his own company, he worked for the Austin, Texas, Electric Utility Department, Rochester Public Utilities in Minnesota, and as an assistant professor for the University of Houston. John earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering (with honors), and a Master of Science degree in engineering science, both from the University of Toledo. John is a Senior Life Member of the IEEE and is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of Texas and Minnesota.
 M. Thomas Black, P.E., is an accomplished executive manager, consultant and course instructor with more than 30 years of experience in the electric and gas utility industries. In addition to working with Collaborative Learning, Tom’s experience includes employment with both municipal and investor owned utilities across multiple jurisdictions in Colorado, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida. He teaches a variety of courses on technical topics and also has extensive executive level experience in managing electric and gas utility systems, including serving as chief energy officer and energy delivery general manager. Tom has also served on the boards of RMEL and the Colorado Association of Municipal Utilities and is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
 Erich Schoennagel, P.E., has cultivated over 45 years of experience in the electric industry. He is a former manager and engineer with CenterPoint Energy and managed the Transmission Project Engineering group. Erich served for 15 years as a member advisor and chairman of the Underground Transmission Task Force for the Electric Power Research Institute until his retirement from CenterPoint Energy. There he directed research related to underground transmission and superconductivity. He was a board member of the annual TSDOS symposium, and a former member of the American Concrete Institute 336 committee related to foundation design and construction.
 Tom DeBell, P.E., is an independent consultant and course developer and instructor for Collaborative Learning with experience in the electric, water, telecommunications, and gas utility industries. Tom recently concluded a successful 34-year career with Riviera Utilities, a municipal utility in Foley, Alabama. Transitioning from this extensive career in November 2023, Tom founded an executive and leadership coaching company. During his tenure at Riviera Utilities, Tom held various pivotal roles, including engineering and management positions, culminating in his role as President/CEO. In his engineering roles, Tom developed line construction specifications, designed transmission and distribution lines, including both overhead and underground distribution, and collaborated closely with construction crews on major line projects. Tom also specialized in the design and construction of electric transmission and distribution substations, conducted system coordination studies and implemented cascading protection schemes.
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