Right-of-Way

Trees growing or falling into power lines are one of the leading causes of power outages. Piedmont Electric Cooperative conducts right-of-way trimming along all our power lines and pad-mounted transformers to reduce outages, minimize blinks and create space for our crews to maintain our system.

This maintenance keeps the lines clear of potential trees that may fall when the wind picks up which helps keep you safe and allows for easy access to lines and transformers during emergencies and repairs.

A right-of-way is the area around our lines that Piedmont Electric has access to in order to maintain or repair the electric system. A right-of-way along a transmission line is 50 feet on both sides of the line, while a right-of-way along a distribution line is 15 feet on either side. This gives large utility vehicles the necessary space to maneuver when work on the lines is needed.

As a condition of receiving electric service, all members grant easement rights to the cooperative at no cost. This gives Piedmont Electric the right to clear and maintain rights-of-way and to construct, operate and maintain any facilities required to deliver electric service. It also grants Piedmont Electric the right to replace, rebuild or remove these facilities. The majority of Piedmont Electric’s use of rights-of-way will be in routine maintenance of its facilities.

When trees or limbs fall on our power lines, particularly during severe weather, there’s a greater chance of power outages within our communities. By performing regular right-of-way maintenance, we can reduce the risk of outages due to fallen trees.

We trim back the tree limbs in select areas so that they do not interfere with power lines. We understand the importance of trees and vegetation in our communities and will only remove limbs as necessary. When outages do occur, right-of-way preventative maintenance helps shorten the duration of the outages because power lines are easy to access and not overgrown with trees.

  1. If we have your email address on file, you will receive an email notifying you of right-of-way maintenance work scheduled in your area.
  2. Tree crews will knock on your door to speak with you or leave a door hanger letting you know when crews are coming to complete pruning.
  3. If the right-of-way area is not landscaped, tree crews will use a Jaraffe, heavy equipment with a large saw, and mower to prune.
  4. If the right-of-way area is a yard or landscaped area, tree crews will use bucket trucks and a chipper to prune trees and clean up debris.
  5. Right-of-way work is often conducted by two or three sets of crews over a few days. One crew will cut the branches, a second crew will follow up to pick up and mulch and, if necessary, a third crew will hand cut brush around poles, wires and creeks. If could be several days in between each crew. When our crews are done, your area should be clean and clear of debris.

We operate on a three-year right-of-way cycle, meaning that we’ll be in your area once every three years to trim tree limbs near our power lines.

Yes! If we have your email address on file, you’ll receive an email notifying you of work scheduled in your area. Tree crews will also knock on your door to speak with you or leave a door hanger letting you know when crews are coming to complete pruning.

Right-of-way work is often conducted by two or three sets of crews over a few days. One crew will cut the branches, a second crew will follow up to pick up and mulch and, if necessary, a third crew will hand cut brush around poles, wires and creeks. If could be several days in between each crew. When our crews are done, your area should be clean and clear of debris. If not, please let us know through our by calling us at 800.222.3107 or filling out the Contact Us form in the drop down area below.

It’s simply too expensive. The initial cost of running lines underground throughout rural areas is prohibitively high. While they may be more reliable during a storm, they can take twice as long to fix when something does happen to them.

Piedmont Electric works with licensed contractors to do our tree clearing. Hiring contract crews saves money which keeps rates down. These contract crews are highly skilled, properly equipped and under the supervision of specialized Piedmont Electric employees.

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properly maintained right of way

A properly cleared right-of-way provides ample space for Piedmont Electric vehicles, employees and contractors to access electric lines safety.

Improperly maintained right-of-way example

An improperly cleared right-of-way inhibits access by Piedmont Electric vehicles, employees and contractors which makes maintenance and outage restoration more difficuult.

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