Additional tree trimming crews have been added to our work force to accomplish a system wide trim. Tree trimming is an essential part of operating an electrical system for reliability and safety reasons. By keeping tree limbs away from our powerlines, the risk of children contacting an exposed energized electrical wire while climbing trees is greatly reduced. Adequate tree clearance also helps to reduce the incidence of squirrels and other wildlife from contacting energized lines and equipment and causing power outages. Our crews employ a method of tree cutting called directional trimming.
Directional trimming causes the majority of new growth to grow away from our powerlines.
This reduces the amount of trimming required in future years. We appreciate your patience as we perform our trimming work on or near your property. Crews are continuing their upgrade work in the Benton Heights area. The higher voltage lines will provide this area with more reliable electrical power. Electric power was distributed at the 4,000-volt level when it became a household commodity.