$300 Million Core Undergrounding and Reliability Improvement Program Our core reliability program is designed to better protect our delivery system against the forces of nature. This three-year effort (approximately $100 million per year) includes substantial underground cabling in areas where undergrounding is feasible, improves reliability, and makes economic sense. Through this program, AmerenUE is targeting projects with the greatest potential to improve reliability and avoid “life cycle” costs, in particular those due to tree-trimming. Many of the projects will address areas most vulnerable to severe weather-related outages.    We believe we will complete roughly 1,000 projects of various sizes during the three-year period. Communities across the UE service area will benefit from this effort. Three-year investments in reliability upgrades will range from more than $120 million in St. Louis County to $75,000 in 11 counties with fewer than 250 customers.    The project planning, design, and construction represent a major collaborative effort between UE, county and municipal governments, the region’s contracting industry, and UE customers. UE also has identified some “must-do” undergrounding projects that supersede the local government engagement process. In all cases, the upgrades will be designed to improve reliability vs. the cosmetic appearance of the system.      The undergrounding projects could include high- or low-voltage overhead lines and may include service conductors physically attached to customer residences and/or businesses. In some cases, small portions of overhead circuitry may be reconstructed or relocated before they are placed underground.    UE has built in a degree of flexibility into the core reliability program. Some projects may be phased in over the three-year period of Project Power On.    Find more information in the Undergrounding Projects FAQs.