Tree-Trimming Work Underway to Help Prevent or Minimize Power Outages in Maryland

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy Corp.'s subsidiary Potomac Edison is investing $14.7 million in tree trimming and vegetation management in Maryland.

The initiative aims to enhance power service reliability by preventing tree-related outages during severe weather. Since the beginning of the year, contractors have trimmed trees along 300 miles of power lines, with a goal to cover an additional 1,800 miles by year-end.

This program involves notifying municipalities and residents before work begins. Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in Maryland.

Positive

• Potomac Edison is investing $14.7 million in tree-trimming to enhance power reliability.
• Contractors have already trimmed trees along 300 miles of power lines.
• The initiative aims to complete 1,800 miles by the end of the year.
• The tree-trimming program helps prevent tree-related outages during severe weather.
• The company notifies municipalities and residents about tree-trimming schedules.
• Potomac Edison serves 285,000 customers in Maryland.

Negative

• No financial gains or direct revenue increases reported from the $14.7 million investment.
• The effectiveness of tree trimming in significantly reducing outages remains to be seen.

Potomac Edison invests $14.7 million to reinforce the power grid during severe weather

WILLIAMSPORT, Md., May 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary Potomac Edison is conducting tree trimming and other vegetation management work in communities across its Maryland service area as part of its ongoing efforts to help enhance electric service reliability. This year's $14.7 million tree-trimming program will help keep power flowing to customers by helping to prevent tree-related outages, such as those that can occur during the spring and summer storm season.

On the ground, contractors have trimmed trees along more than 300 miles of power lines across the Maryland service area since the beginning of the year. The company is on track to complete an additional 1,800 miles of tree-trimming work by the end of the year. Similar work is performed annually by FirstEnergy transmission companies along high-voltage power lines in the company's service territory.

A video explaining and demonstrating tree-trimming work can be found on FirstEnergy's YouTube channel.

Don McGettigan, Acting President of FirstEnergy's Maryland Operations: "Because trees are a leading cause of power outages, tree trimming is crucial to our reliability efforts and one of the most effective ways we can reduce the impact of tree-related service interruptions for our customers."

Crews continually inspect vegetation near power lines to ensure trees are pruned to preserve their health while also maintaining safe clearances. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed.

As part of its notification process, Potomac Edison works with municipalities to inform them of tree-trimming schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights of way also are notified before vegetation management work is done.

Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in seven counties in Maryland. Follow Potomac Edison at potomacedison.com, on X, formerly known as Twitter, @PotomacEdison, and on Facebook at facebook.com/PotomacEdison.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than six million 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 X @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers trimming trees near FirstEnergy power lines are available for download on Flickr.

 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is Potomac Edison doing to minimize power outages in Maryland?

Potomac Edison is investing $14.7 million in tree trimming and vegetation management to enhance power reliability and prevent tree-related outages.

How much is Potomac Edison investing in tree trimming in 2024?

Potomac Edison is investing $14.7 million in tree trimming and vegetation management.

How many miles of power lines have been trimmed by Potomac Edison in Maryland in 2024?

Potomac Edison contractors have trimmed trees along more than 300 miles of power lines, with a goal of an additional 1,800 miles by year-end.

How does Potomac Edison notify residents about tree trimming?

Potomac Edison works with municipalities and notifies customers living in areas along rights of way before tree-trimming work is done.

How many customers does Potomac Edison serve in Maryland?

Potomac Edison serves about 285,000 customers in seven counties in Maryland.