Tree-Trimming Work Underway to Help Prevent or Minimize Power Outages Across Ohio Edison's Service Area

Rhea-AI Summary

Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., has initiated a $26 million tree-trimming program aimed at enhancing electric service reliability across northeast and northcentral Ohio. This initiative seeks to prevent power outages caused by trees, especially during severe spring and summer storms. Since the start of the year, contractors have trimmed trees along 600 miles of power lines, with an additional 4,200 miles planned for completion by year-end. The program includes vegetation inspections and tree removals to maintain safe clearances. This annual effort involves certified forestry experts and uses advanced techniques like aerial saws for hard-to-access areas. The initiative spans several Ohio counties and aims to serve over 1 million customers more reliably.

Positive

• Investment of $26 million in tree-trimming program.
• 600 miles of power lines already covered since the beginning of the year.
• 4,200 miles of tree trimming targeted for completion by year-end.
• Involves certified forestry experts and multiple trusted companies.
• Use of advanced techniques like aerial saws for hard-to-access areas.

Negative

• The $26 million expenditure is a significant cost that may impact financials.
• Annual necessity for tree trimming suggests ongoing maintenance costs.
• Potential disruptions in local communities due to tree trimming activities.

The company invests $26 million to reinforce the power grid during severe weather

AKRON, Ohio, May 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ohio Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary, is conducting tree trimming and other vegetation management work in communities across northeast and northcentral Ohio as part of the company's ongoing efforts to help enhance electric service reliability. This year's $26 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.

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

On the ground, contractors have trimmed trees along more than 600 miles of power lines across Ohio Edison's service area since the beginning of the year. The company is on track to complete an additional 4,200 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. 

Pat Mullin, Acting President of FirstEnergy's Ohio Operations: "Trees are a leading cause of power outages, and we complete tree-trimming work each year to prevent tree-related outages during severe weather. This work, paired with the vast upgrades we've made to our local power system over recent years, undoubtedly helps minimize the impact of weather-related outages to keep the power flowing safely and reliably to customers."

Tree trimming is done on a four-year cycle. The work includes inspecting vegetation near power lines to ensure trees are pruned to preserve the health of the tree while also maintaining safe clearances. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed.

This year, the work is being conducted in the following counties and communities:

• Clark: New Carlisle, North Hampton and Springfield
• Columbiana: Leetonia, Lisbon and Salem
• Erie: Berlin Heights, Huron and Sandusky
• Huron: Huron and Norwalk
• Lorain: Elyria, Grafton, Lorain, North Ridgeville, Sheffield Village and South Amherst
• Madison: London
• Mahoning: Austintown, Boardman, Campbell, Lake Milton, Lowellville, Mineral Ridge, North Jackson, Struthers and Youngstown
• Medina: Medina
• Ottawa: Port Clinton
• Portage: Ravenna
• Richland: Madison Township and Mansfield
• Stark: Alliance, Atwater, Greentown, Hartville, Lexington, Massillon, Perry Township, and North Canton
• Summit: Barberton, Brecksville, Broadview Heights, Chapel Hill, Green, Clinton, Copley, Coventry Township, Akron, Doylestown, East Akron, Ellet, Elizabeth Park Valley, Goodyear Heights, Hudson, Kenmore, Lakemore, Middlebury, Mogadore, North Hill, Norton, Peninsula, Richfield, Silver Lake, Springfield Township, Tallmadge and Wadsworth
• Trumbull: Fowler, Girard, Hartford, Kinsman, McDonald, Parkman, Southington, Vienna and Warren

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

The vegetation management work is conducted by certified forestry experts under the company's direction, including Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Davey Tree Expert Company, Nelson Tree Service Inc., Penn Line Service, Townsend Tree Service and Wright Tree Service.

In the air, helicopters equipped with aerial saws began trimming trees in March to maintain clearances along hard-to-access transmission and distribution corridors throughout Ohio Edison's service area. The aerial saw is typically deployed along transmission and distribution lines in areas that may be environmentally sensitive or inaccessible to bucket trucks and other vehicles. This method 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.

Ohio Edison serves more than 1 million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on X, formerly known as Twitter, @OhioEdison and on Facebook at facebook.com/OhioEdison.

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 firstenergycorp.com and on X @FirstEnergyCorp.

Editor's Note: Photos of workers trimming trees near FirstEnergy power lines are available for download on Flickr. B-roll of the aerial saw in action is available on YouTube.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tree-trimming-work-underway-to-help-prevent-or-minimize-power-outages-across-ohio-edisons-service-area-302146646.html

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is Ohio Edison doing to prevent power outages?

Ohio Edison is conducting a $26 million tree-trimming program to enhance electric service reliability and prevent outages caused by trees.

What is the budget for Ohio Edison's tree-trimming program in 2024?

Ohio Edison has allocated $26 million for its 2024 tree-trimming program.

How many miles of power lines has Ohio Edison covered in tree trimming so far?

Ohio Edison has trimmed trees along more than 600 miles of power lines since the beginning of the year.

How many additional miles of tree trimming does Ohio Edison plan to complete by year-end?

Ohio Edison plans to complete an additional 4,200 miles of tree trimming by the end of the year.

What methods are being used in Ohio Edison's tree-trimming program?

Ohio Edison uses ground crews and aerial saws to trim trees, especially in hard-to-access areas.

Which areas are affected by Ohio Edison's tree-trimming program?

The program spans several counties including Clark, Columbiana, Erie, Huron, Lorain, Madison, Mahoning, and others.

Who are the partners in Ohio Edison's tree-trimming program?

Certified forestry experts from companies like Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Davey Tree Expert Company, and others are involved.