Aerial Saw Trimming Trees Along Transmission Lines in Met-Ed Service Territory

Rhea-AI Summary

Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed), a FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiary, is using a helicopter with an aerial saw for tree trimming along four transmission line corridors in York and Adams Counties, expected to finish by May end. This initiative aims to enhance electrical clearances and reduce tree-related outages during severe weather. The trimming covers 50 miles of high-voltage lines and is part of Met-Ed's $28 million vegetation management program for 2021, which targets 2,000 additional miles. Notably, tree-related outages decreased by 11% in 2020 compared to 2019.

Positive

• Reduction of tree-related outages by 11% in 2020 compared to 2019.
• Investment of $28 million in vegetation management for 2021.
• Efficient use of aerial saw technology to expedite tree trimming.

Negative

• None.

READING, Pa., May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is using a helicopter equipped with an aerial saw to trim trees and maintain electrical clearances along four difficult-to-access transmission line corridors crossing York and Adams Counties. The work is expected to conclude by the end of May.

Maintaining proper clearances around transmission lines and electrical equipment can help reduce the frequency and duration of tree-related power outages, especially those associated with severe weather such as spring and summer thunderstorms.

The helicopter trimming trees along the transmission lines is a white Hughes MD500 with blue and yellow stripes prominently marked with a registration number of N53846 in blue paint. The helicopter and saw are owned and operated by Aerial Solutions and will work only as weather conditions permit.

The aerial saw will trim trees along the sides of 50 miles of four high-voltage transmission lines including:

• A 230-kilovolt (kV) line in York County near the Susquehanna River between Brunner Island and Yorkana
• A 230-kV line in York County that runs from Yorkana toward Freysville, Spry, Leader Heights and New Salem Borough
• A 115-kV line in Adams County that runs from Hunterstown just north of Gettysburg toward Gardners
• A 115-kV line in York County that runs from Tolna, crossing I-83 near Shrewsbury toward Glen Rock

Suspended on a boom beneath the helicopter and equipped with multiple 24-inch rotary blades, the aerial saw is typically deployed along transmission lines in areas that are environmentally sensitive or inaccessible to bucket trucks and other vehicles. This fast, safe and efficient method of trimming typically covers more area in a day than a ground crew might complete in a week. The saw also eliminates the risk of injury to workers using bucket trucks or climbing trees to cut limbs near high voltage equipment.

The saw cleanly cuts tree limbs 8 to 10 inches in diameter, which fall straight to the ground propelled by air blasts from the helicopter rotors. Ground crews move limbs that have fallen onto roadways, yards, agricultural fields or in streams into adjacent wooded areas. The ground crew will also flag and stop motorists along roads if the helicopter saw is working nearby.

The helicopter flies above and alongside transmission lines and may circle around to perform additional trimming. The pilot communicates with local airport personnel whenever the helicopter is operating within their air space.   

Since the beginning of the year, tree contractors have trimmed along nearly 1,200 miles of distribution and transmission lines in the Met-Ed area as part of the company's $28 million vegetation management program for 2021. Met-Ed's program remains on schedule to complete an additional 2,000 miles of work by year end.

Trimming trees around power lines is critical to providing reliable electric service for Met-Ed customers. In 2020, Met-Ed experienced 11 percent fewer tree-related outages than in 2019.  

Met-Ed serves approximately 580,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note:  Action photos of the aerial saw are available for download on Flickr. A video explaining FirstEnergy's vegetation management techniques can also be found on YouTube.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Met-Ed's helicopter tree trimming?

The tree trimming aims to maintain electrical clearances along transmission lines and reduce outages during severe weather.

When is the tree trimming project expected to finish?

The helicopter tree trimming project is expected to conclude by the end of May 2021.

How much is Met-Ed investing in vegetation management in 2021?

Met-Ed is investing $28 million in its vegetation management program for 2021.

What areas are affected by the tree trimming project?

The tree trimming project affects transmission line corridors crossing York and Adams Counties.

How many miles of transmission lines are involved in this project?

The project involves trimming along 50 miles of high-voltage transmission lines.