Trimming improves reliability
Potential accidents are all around us, especially when it comes to electricity. Whether it is inclement weather or another kind of safety hazard, YEC strives to keep you safe. That is why YEC implements the continual process of keeping our rights of way clear.
Did you know YEC maintains our right-of-way on a five-year rotation? While this timeline is tight, it is worth it to keep service reliable for our members.
In addition to cutting new rights-of-way for our Rural Internet Project, your co-op has continued to prioritize reliable service by maintaining distribution rights-of-way. This not only helps keep your power on, but it also helps improve safety and restoration efforts if outages occur.
For 2023 right-of-way maintenance, we have established the following schedule:
First Quarter
Bethany & Biggers Branch:
- Hwy 55 towards Clover
- Ranger
- CE Stewart, Greenleaf, Boheler
- Whitewolf, Edgepark, Deal
Biggers Branch 2:
- Enon Church
- Jenkins, Biggers, Ramah Church
- Hwy 5, CE Stewart from Hwy 5, Burns Rd
- McGill, McKnight, Woodland Park
Second Quarter
Biggers Branch 3:
- Hwy 55 towards Kings Creek
- Piedmont, Indian Springs, Jenkins Farm
- Canaan Church, Nimitz, Hwy 5 from Nimitz to Kings Creek
- Faulkner, Dickson
More information for our 2023 right-of-way plans include the following areas:
- Hickory Grove 2
- Hickory Grove 3
- Blairsville
- Aycock School 2
- Aycock School 3
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to keep our lines clear of overgrown trees and debris, ultimately helping to decrease the possibility of outages.
Right of Way Maintenance FAQ
ROW refers to the corridor or pathway an electric line follows, whether it’s along the road or through the woods. ROW provides utility crews with access to lines for improvements, maintenance, and repairs. It also provides an operational safety zone between the electric lines and trees, buildings, etc. On the majority of its lines, York Electric holds easements that give it the right to clear land 15 feet from either side of the wire.
A clear ROW minimizes outages, improves power quality, reliability, and safety.
- Causes power outages
- Causes lights to blink
- Obstructs visual inspections, making repairs difficult and costly
- Blocks access for maintenance and repairs, causing delays
- Wastes electricity by drawing it to the ground
- Becomes a fire hazard
- Becomes a safety hazard for utility workers and members
- Children and adults should never climb, trim, or touch trees that contact power lines!
The ROW is cleared by cutting, trimming, mowing and where permissible, applying herbicides. In most cases, all shrubs, brush and trees are removed under primary (main), overhead power lines. They are also removed, as and around secondary, low-voltage power lines that bring power from the transformer to your meter. Cutting and trimming are done by trained, professional utility tree trimmers using specific and proven standards typical to the industry.
York Electric’s ROW maintenance program balances the preservation of natural habitats against the service reliability needs of our members and the safety needs of the general public. In fact, it can actually benefit the ecosystem and other natural environments. ROW maintenance efforts create open areas that encourage the growth of wildflowers, ferns, grasses, flowers, berries, and other low-growing shrubs.
Related Topics:
Right of Way Maintenance
Trade a Tree Program