Maintaining Clear Power Lines: Four County EMC’s Right-of-Way Program
Keeping power lines clear of trees and undergrowth is essential for safety and reliability. Four County EMC manages this task through a comprehensive right-of-way (ROW) maintenance program that includes various control methods to ensure safe and uninterrupted service.
Why Right-of-Way Maintenance Matters
Maintaining clear ROWs is vital to delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity. The costs associated with ROW upkeep are factored into your electric bill, and these costs can be reduced if members allow the cooperative to remove high-maintenance trees under our high-voltage lines. Removing these trees lowers maintenance expenses, reduces outages, and minimizes repair costs. Members are encouraged to avoid planting trees directly under power lines to prevent future maintenance and safety issues.
What to Expect with Right-of-Way Maintenance
Before maintenance begins in an area, members will receive a notification letter. Our ROW standards maintain a 15-foot clearance on either side of the centerline for distribution lines and a 50-foot clearance on either side of the centerline for transmission lines. Trees will be trimmed to ensure an 8-foot clearance below the neutral line for distribution lines and a 15-foot clearance below the lowest line for transmission lines.
Sell-a-Tree Program
Members on residential lots with trees growing directly beneath primary power lines may qualify for the “Sell-A-Tree” program. Through this initiative, members can have trees removed and earn a $100 bill credit per tree, with a maximum of three trees every five years. This program lowers ongoing tree-trimming costs for the entire co-op, minimizes safety hazards, and reduces service interruptions in your area.
For more information or to inquire about the Sell-A-Tree program, call us at (888) 368-7289 to schedule an evaluation.