East Central Energy (ECE) announced it will continue to invest in public safety and service reliability with its right-of-way maintenance program. More than $3.4 million is budgeted for work in 2006 as a part of the ongoing right-of-way program to clear and re-clear trees and branches near the electric distribution lines.
ECE has nearly 6,000 miles of overhead line to maintain. With re-clearing needed about every six years, hundreds of miles of corridor require maintenance each year. In 2006, nearly 800 miles will be cleared of trees and vegetation at an average cost of $2,800 per mile. Another 1,350 miles will receive an herbicide application, to control rapid growth vegetation, at an average cost of $275 per mile.
"Because public safety and service reliability is paramount to ECE, we invest millions of dollars to make sure that there are no branches or trees near or touching the power lines," says Dave Auchter, ECE right-of-way forester. Trees too close to power lines can be a fire hazard, as well as a risk to children and adults who are nearby. The program is also designed to prevent service interruptions and line damage from trees and their branches, and enable crews to easily access lines to solve any problems that do arise
The current investment, although substantial, will prevent future problems that are much more expensive to fix and can interfere with the lives of ECE residential members and can cause operational disruptions for business customers. Assuring the lowest cost, reliable source of electric energy is paramount.
Nearly 15 area townships are targeted for right-of-cleaning in 2006. Property owners are notified prior to the work to seek their cooperation. ECE encourages property owners to contact a local nursery or landscape contractor before planting near power lines. Only trees and shrubs that mature at a height of 15 feet or less should be planted there.