Provided by EREC
Trees are majestic, beautiful, and good for the soul. However, tree limbs can interfere with the reliable power our members depend on at their homes and businesses. That’s why Escambia River Electric Cooperative (EREC) strives to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings we all cherish with ensuring reliable electricity.
You might not realize it, but there are several benefits to regular tree trimming.
Reliability
Keeping power lines clear of overgrown vegetation improves service reliability. After all, we’ve seen the whims of Mother Nature during severe weather events with fallen tree limbs taking down power lines and utility poles.
While many factors can impact power disruptions, about half of the outages can be attributed to overgrown vegetation. This is why EREC crews or contractors go out in the community and trim trees near power lines.
Our trimming crews have been trained and certified based on the latest industry standards.
In fact, all United States electric utilities are required to trim trees that grow too close to power lines. Scheduled trimming throughout the year keeps lines clear from overgrown or dead limbs that are likely to fall, and we are better able to prepare for severe weather.
We all know preventative maintenance is more cost-effective than repairs after the fact.
Drone inspections of power lines and vegetation allow us to reduce labor and equipment costs while bolstering reliability. With small drones, we can accurately monitor the health and growth of trees and identify potential problems.
Safety
Working near power lines is dangerous, and we care about your safety and that of our lineworkers. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose a grave danger to families. If children can reach those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc or jump from a power line to a nearby conductor, such as a tree.
Any tree or branch that falls across a power line creates a potentially dangerous situation. A proactive approach lessens the chances of fallen trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.
Affordability
As a co-op, EREC always strives to keep costs down for its members. If trees and other vegetation are left unchecked, they can become overgrown and expensive to correct. A strategic vegetation management program helps keep costs down for everyone.
When it comes to vegetation management, there are ways members can help. When planting new trees, make sure they’re planted a safe distance from overhead power lines. Medium-height trees—40 feet or shorter—should be planted at least 25 feet from power lines. Taller trees—more than 40 feet—should be planted at least 50 feet from power lines.
You can also practice safe planting near pad-mounted transformers. Plant shrubs at least 10 feet from the transformer door and 4 feet from the sides.
If your neighborhood has underground lines, remember to contact 811 before you begin any project that requires digging. Additionally, if you spot an overgrown tree or branch that’s dangerously close to overhead lines, let EREC know by calling (850) 675-4521.
EREC has deep roots in the community and loves the beautiful surroundings. Taking a balanced approach, its vegetation management program is a crucial tool in ensuring service reliability.