Vegetation Management Program to Improve Electric Service Reliability

To improve the reliability of electric service throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley and better meet the growing energy needs of its customers, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation has implemented a more comprehensive vegetation management program for its electric transmission and distribution system.

“The reliability of electric service is a top priority for Central Hudson, and our customers have indicated that it’s the key driver of their satisfaction,” said Carl E. Meyer, President and Chief Operating Officer. “Tree contacts with our lines account for a significant amount of electric service interruptions here in the Mid-Hudson Valley. Our comprehensive program addresses both the critical transmission system, as well as local distribution lines where heavier vegetation has impacted overall reliability. In total, we plan to invest more than $30 million in our regular and comprehensive vegetation management programs over the next three years.”

Central Hudson is studying tree species and vegetation growth rates along its electric distribution lines, together with other factors such as circuit performance histories, in determining the optimum maintenance schedules and trimming strategies to improve service reliability. Electric circuits are analyzed individually so that a customized maintenance plan can be developed for each.

“Putting the results of this study to use will help us better-address reliability of the electric system,” said Meyer. “Crews work under the direction of trained and certified arborists to determine how trees can be safely and effectively trimmed. In addition, we work with municipal officials to identify and trim or cut diseased or dying trees that may fall onto power lines, and will assist them in determining the appropriate tree species for planting near utility lines.”

In areas addressed under the comprehensive program, Central Hudson attempts to notify adjoining property owners along affected transmission and distribution lines prior to completion of the work:

• Electric transmission lines deliver bulk power to cities and communities, and are primarily found off of roadways and running cross-country. New state regulations enacted as a result of the 2003 blackout require that these lines are cleared of trees and other hazardous vegetation to the full width of the rights-of-way on which they are located to avoid the potential of extensive service interruptions. In addition, trees outside of the rights-of-way that are dead, dying or leaning heavily toward power lines may also be trimmed or cut if the easement so provides, or with the adjoining property owner’s consent. Central Hudson representatives work closely with property owners to keep these important lines clear so as to minimize the impact of trees and vegetation on service reliability.
  
  
• Electric distribution lines deliver electricity to homes and businesses, and are generally located along local roads, highways and in neighborhoods. While these lines typically require less clearing than the higher voltage transmission lines, the comprehensive program targets those circuits most affected by vegetation by expanding the normal clearances around the lines, and trimming or cutting dangerous trees outside of the rights-of-way if the easement so provides, or with permission from property owners.

“We take our commitment to satisfy our customer’s energy needs seriously,” said Meyer. “We’re focused on improving service reliability and meeting our customers’ expectations by making further investments in our system, and the comprehensive vegetation management program plays an important role in our planning.” 

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