News & Press
Our members depend on us to deliver reliable power to their homes and businesses. That’s why Tri-County EMC strives to balance maintaining the beautiful surroundings we all cherish with ensuring reliable electricity. One way we do this is by keeping power lines clear of overgrown vegetation. Severe weather events can cause tree limbs to fall and take down power lines and utility poles. While several factors can impact power disruptions, a large portion of outages can be attributed to overgrown vegetation. This is why you often see our right-of-way crews or contractors out in the community trimming trees near power lines. (95641001)
All U.S. electric utilities are required to trim trees that grow too close to power lines. Scheduled trimming throughout the year keeps lines clear from overgrown or dead limbs that are likely to fall, and we are better able to prepare for severe weather events. As always, safety is our greatest concern. Any tree or branch that falls across a power line creates a potentially dangerous situation. A proactive approach lessens the chances of fallen trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power. It’s also more cost-effective to undertake preventative maintenance than it is to make repairs after the fact.
There are ways you can help too. When planting new trees, make sure they’re planted a safe distance from overhead power lines. Medium-height trees should be planted at least 25 feet from power lines, and taller trees should be planted at least 50 feet from power lines. Practice safe planting near underground transformers. Plant shrubs at least 10 feet from the transformer door and 4 feet from the sides. If your neighborhood has underground lines, remember to contact Georgia 811 before you begin any project that requires digging.