Mon Power 2021 Tree Trimming Program Underway

Rhea-AI Summary

Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy, has launched its 2021 tree trimming program to clear nearly 5,700 miles of power lines in West Virginia. With an investment of over $70 million, the initiative aims to improve service reliability and reduce power outages, which have dropped by more than 40% since 2015. The program will involve the proactive removal of deteriorated ash trees and is executed by certified forestry experts. Mon Power serves approximately 385,000 customers in 34 counties and operates on a four-year trimming cycle.

Positive

• Investment of over $70 million in vegetation management, enhancing reliability.
• More than 40% reduction in outages since 2015 due to tree trimming program.

Negative

• None.

FAIRMONT, W.Va., April 7, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mon Power, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), has begun its 2021 tree trimming program and will clear vegetation around nearly 5,700 miles of power lines this year as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance service reliability for West Virginia customers.

Maintaining proper clearances and removing dead or diseased trees around electrical equipment can help reduce the frequency and duration of power outages, especially those associated with severe weather. Clearing incompatible vegetation under power lines also results in easier access for company personnel to inspect and maintain lines and make repairs faster if an outage occurs. In Mon Power's 34-county service territory, total customer outage minutes, including during major storm events, have dropped by more than 40% since the first full year of its existing tree-trimming program in 2015.

"Our tree-trimming program is critical to identifying potential hazards across our service area and is one of the most effective ways we can minimize service interruptions for our customers," said Jim Myers, president of West Virginia operations for FirstEnergy.

Mon Power operates on a four-year trimming cycle and will spend more than $70 million on its vegetation management program this year, which includes 480 miles of overhead transmission power lines. During the trimming process, vegetation is inspected, and trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree while also maintaining safety near electric facilities. In some cases, trees that are diseased or pose a threat to power lines or equipment may be removed. Mon Power's program includes about $2.5 million to proactively remove deteriorated ash trees damaged by the Emerald Ash Borer along larger distribution lines and lines near electric substations.

The vegetation management work is conducted by certified forestry experts under the company's direction, including Asplundh Tree Expert, GF Tree Service, Jaflo, Penn Line, The Energy Group, Townsend and UAL.

Mon Power works with municipalities to inform them of tree trimming schedules, and customers living in areas along company rights-of-way are notified prior to vegetation management work being done. Mon Power will be conducting tree trimming work in the following counties and communities in 2021:

• Barbour: Arden, Belington, Junior, Kasson, Moatsville, Nestorville, Tacy
• Braxton: Burnsville, Morrison Ridge
• Brooke: Beech Bottom, Colliers, Follansbee, Wellsburg
• Calhoun: Arnoldsburg, Five Forks, Grantsville, Millstone,
• Clay: Ivydale, Wallback
• Gilmer: Glenville, Normantown, Sandfork
• Greenbrier: Alderson, Alta, Alvon, Caldwell, Fairlea, Frankford, Lewisburg, Maxwelton, Organ Cave, Renick, Ronceverte, White Sulphur, Tuckahoe
• Hancock: Chester, Newell, Weirton
• Harrison: Anmoore, Bridgeport, Gypsy, Lumberport, Shinnston, West Milford,
• Lewis: Jane Lew, Weston
• Marion: Fairmont, Grant Town, Winfield
• Monongalia: Cheat Lake, Granville, Maidsville, Westover
• Monroe: Alderson
• Nicholas: Richwood, Summersville
• Pendleton: Circleville, Riverton, Seneca Rocks, Upper Tract   
• Pocahontas: Bartow, Dunmore, Green Bank
• Preston: Arthurdale, Gladesville, Hazelton, Kingwood, Masontown, Reedsville, Rowlesburg
• Randolph: Harman, Helvetia, Mill Creek, Pickens, Valley Bend, Valley Head
• Ritchie: Cairo, Ellenboro, Smithville
• Summers: Forest Hill, Hinton, Lowell, Pence Springs 
• Upshur: Buckhannon
• Webster: Bolair, Cowen, Webster Springs
• Wetzel: New Martinsville, Paden City, Proctor, Wileyville 
• Wirt: Elizabeth, Palestine
• Wood: Cedar Grove, Davisville, Kanawha, Mineral Wells, North Hills, Parkersburg, Pettyville

Mon Power serves about 385,000 customers in 34 West Virginia counties. Follow Mon Power at www.mon-power.com, on Twitter @MonPowerWV, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MonPowerWV.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to 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 24,500 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: Photos of utility personnel trimming trees near FirstEnergy power lines 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 Mon Power's 2021 tree trimming program?

The program aims to enhance service reliability by clearing vegetation around power lines to reduce outages.

How much is Mon Power investing in its tree trimming program in 2021?

Mon Power is investing over $70 million in its vegetation management program this year.

How many miles of power lines will be cleared in Mon Power's 2021 program?

Mon Power plans to clear nearly 5,700 miles of power lines as part of the program.

What percentage reduction in power outages has Mon Power achieved since 2015?

Mon Power has achieved a more than 40% reduction in total customer outage minutes since 2015.

How often does Mon Power conduct its tree trimming cycle?

Mon Power operates on a four-year trimming cycle for its vegetation management.