Tree trimming in rights-of-way is essential for electric cooperatives to ensure reliable service and mitigate wildfire risks. We take this responsibility seriously at Wasco Electric Cooperative.
Maintaining a tree-trimming program has multiple benefits:
- Prevents power outages. Trees and vegetation can cause power outages, especially during severe weather. Overgrown branches can contact power lines, causing interruptions. Regular tree trimming ensures safe clearance between vegetation and power lines, reducing outage risks and enhancing grid reliability.
- Improves system performance. WEC manages a large service territory of power lines in rural and forested regions. To ensure operation, we must keep power lines clear of obstructions. Regular tree trimming helps maintain clear rights-of-way, making it easier for line crews to access the equipment. This practice improves system performance and extends its longevity.
- Minimizes equipment damage. Overhanging branches and falling trees can damage equipment such as transformers, poles, wires, and conductors. Such damage interrupts service and increases repair costs. Proactively managing vegetation protects infrastructure from damage.
- Reduces fuel for wildfires. Vegetation near power lines can fuel wildfires, especially in dry, fire-prone areas. Tree trimming reduces combustible material in ROWs, lowering fire risks. This is crucial in our service territory.
- Create firebreaks. Well-maintained ROWs act as effective firebreaks, slowing or stopping wildfire progress and providing critical time for firefighting efforts. Incorporating tree trimming into wildfire mitigation strategies enhances community safety.
- Complies with regulations. Many regions mandate vegetation management near power lines to prevent wildfires. WEC regularly trims trees in compliance with these regulations, continually showing our commitment to public safety.
- Saves money. While tree trimming has upfront costs, it results in significant long-term savings. Preventing outages and equipment damage reduces repair and maintenance expenses.
- Promotes ecological health. Properly managed ROWs contribute to our service territories’ ecological health. Trimming and maintenance can encourage native plant growth, support wildlife habitats, and prevent the spread of invasive species.
- Creates community trust and support. Investing in tree trimming and vegetation management shows dedication to reliable service and community resource protection, fostering trust and support among cooperative members.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regulatory restrictions prohibit moving beetle-kill trees from the site to prevent beetle spread.
We only request that our contractor remove or trim trees that are dead, dangerous, or in our ROWs. Healthy trees may be trimmed but are unlikely to be removed if they do not threaten our infrastructure.
Our efforts have led to trimming 2,520 trees and removing 3,956 trees in our ROWs since July 2023. Through consistent vegetation management, WEC plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety, reliability, and sustainability of the electric grid for our members and communities.
General Manager Lindsay Forepaugh