RIGHT-OF-WAY CLEARING

By Josh Filler, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Electric Operations

The Energy Cooperative continues to diligently clear and trim the power line right-of-ways. Tree-related outages remain at the top of the list for causes of outages. Over the years, we have made strides in reducing outages due to trees. Still, we are confident we can continue to reduce those by taking a proactive and more robust approach to keeping the lines clear of trees and eliminating trees identified as a hazard to the facilities.

Right-of-Way (ROW)

Right-of-Way is the term we use to describe the area we construct, maintain, replace and repair power lines, including underground and overhead facilities. The right-of-way provides us the ability to maintain clearance of trees and other obstructions that could hinder power line installation, maintenance or operation. This clearance can reduce outages and outage restoration times and provide easier access should there be an outage, saving us valuable time, energy, and resources.

The process of right-of-way clearing involves cutting, mowing, and spraying a minimum of fifteen feet from all sides of a single-phase electric line and a minimum of twenty feet from a three-phase electric line. Right-of-ways often pass through wooded areas.

Our right-of-way team works to keep those lines free of obstructions by clearing tree branches and removing debris, ensuring our members have safe, secure and reliable electric service.

Advantages

Right-of-way clearing can have its advantages. Clear right-of-ways reduce tree-related outages and provide easier access to cooperative personnel during outages and system maintenance. The Energy Cooperative uses herbicides to eliminate unwanted shrubs and trees from right-of-way. Our team applies precise amounts from a distance that will not interfere with your gardens or flowerbeds. It also allows for what was once an unmaintained area to become maintained slowly and can become a habitat for wildlife, such as butterflies, birds and deer.

When falling trees and/or branches bring down power lines, it creates an unsafe condition. Always assume downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Consider any object touching lines energized as well. If you see a downed power line or other electrical hazards, call 911. Then call us at 888-535-5732 or 740-344-2102 to report it.