From Trees to Dig Sites, Protecting Your Power Year-Round
Keeping the lights on takes more than responding to outages; it requires year-round planning, maintenance and safety efforts both above and below ground. From managing trees near power lines to ensuring safe digging practices, your co-op works proactively to protect reliable electric service for our members.
Managing Trees to Prevent Outages Before They Happen
Trees and vegetation are one of the leading causes of power outages, which is why Piedmont Electric maintains a comprehensive, vegetation management program. Our right-of-way extends 50 feet on each side of transmission lines and 15 feet on each side of distribution lines, providing crews with the space needed to work safely and maintain the system. When you see crews trimming or clearing vegetation, it’s not just routine maintenance, it’s a critical step in preventing outages, reducing emergency repairs and keeping power reliable year-round.
Dead Trees: A Hidden Threat to Reliability
Vegetation management goes beyond trimming branches near power lines. Your co-op also identifies and removes dead trees located outside of the standard right-of-way if they pose a risk to nearby lines. These trees can fall unexpectedly and cause outages or safety hazards. If a dead tree is tall enough to reach a power line, our staff will inspect the tree. If it is a threat to the electric system, Piedmont Electric will contact the member, and with their permission, remove it at no cost to the member. While the co-op removes the tree, hauling away debris is the member’s responsibility.
Spring Projects Start with Safe Digging
When working on spring yard projects like planting, fencing or gardening, it’s easy to forget what’s below the surface. Before you dig, always call 811 to have underground utility lines marked.
Striking a buried line can lead to outages, injuries and costly repairs, even on small projects. Taking a few minutes to call 811 helps protect you, your neighbors and your electric service.
Working Together to Protect Your Power
Protecting reliable power is a shared effort. Piedmont Electric maintains the system year round, and members can help by calling 811 before digging. Working together above and below ground helps prevent outages, improve safety and keep power reliable year round.
For more information about vegetation management or safe digging, visit pemc.coop/right-of-way or contact our office.