Potomac Edison Using Aerial Saw to Trim Trees in Rural Areas

Rhea-AI Summary

Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (FE), is enhancing power reliability by trimming trees along over 180 miles of high-voltage power lines in Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia. Utilizing a helicopter with an aerial saw, the initiative aims to reduce outages caused by trees, especially during severe weather. With a 20% reduction in service interruptions in 2021 versus 2019, the program includes clearing vegetation along 3,100 miles of distribution lines, totaling $33 million in vegetation management.

Positive

• 20% reduction in service interruptions in 2021 compared to 2019.
• $33 million allocated for vegetation management this year.

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• None.

Work includes trimming along more than 180 miles of high-voltage power lines in Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., Sept. 29, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is using a helicopter equipped with an aerial saw to trim trees and maintain proper clearances along 17 difficult-to-access transmission line corridors in Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. The work will help keep power flowing to customers by reducing the frequency and duration of tree-related power outages, especially those associated with severe weather.

"Taking this step to safeguard our high-voltage power lines is one of the most effective ways to enhance service reliability for our customers," said Linda Moss, president of FirstEnergy's Maryland operations. "Our work is paying off. In 2021, the amount of time Potomac Edison customers experienced service interruptions due to trees dropped by 20% compared to 2019."

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 will move limbs that may fall 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 trimming trees is an MD 500 owned and operated by Aerial Solutions. The aerial saw will trim trees along 182 miles of transmission lines in Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson and Morgan counties in West Virginia; Frederick, Garrett and Washington counties in Maryland; and Frederick and Page counties in Virginia. The work is expected to conclude in October.

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.

On the ground, Potomac Edison will clear vegetation along approximately 3,100 miles of distribution power lines in its Maryland and West Virginia service area this year as part of its $33 million vegetation management program.

Potomac Edison serves about 275,000 customers in all or parts of Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery and Washington counties in Maryland and about 151,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Follow Potomac Edison at www.potomacedison.com, on Twitter @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

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 Potomac Edison doing to maintain power lines?

Potomac Edison is using helicopters with aerial saws to trim trees along over 180 miles of high-voltage power lines in Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia.

How much did service interruptions decrease for Potomac Edison in 2021?

In 2021, Potomac Edison customers experienced a 20% reduction in service interruptions due to trees compared to 2019.

What is the budget for Potomac Edison’s vegetation management program?

Potomac Edison has allocated $33 million for its vegetation management program this year.

How many miles of distribution power lines will Potomac Edison clear this year?

Potomac Edison plans to clear vegetation along approximately 3,100 miles of distribution power lines in its service area this year.