Tree-Trimming Work Underway to Help Prevent or Minimize Power Outages Across Northwest Ohio

Rhea-AI Summary

Toledo Edison, a FirstEnergy Corp. subsidiary, is investing $7 million in tree trimming and vegetation management across northwest Ohio to enhance electric service reliability and prevent power outages during severe weather. The initiative includes trimming along 1,850 miles of power lines by year-end, following 100 miles already completed. The work spans multiple counties including Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, and Sandusky. Helicopters with aerial saws are used for hard-to-access areas. This project is part of an ongoing annual effort to maintain power systems and involves collaboration with municipalities and certified forestry experts.

Positive

• Toledo Edison is investing $7 million in infrastructure improvements, indicating proactive maintenance and potential for enhanced reliability.
• The initiative aims to trim trees along 1,850 miles of power lines, reducing the risk of outages during severe weather.
• The use of aerial saws for hard-to-access areas demonstrates efficiency and innovation in vegetation management.
• Collaboration with municipalities and certified forestry experts ensures comprehensive and professional execution of the project.

Negative

• The $7 million expenditure may impact the company's short-term financials, potentially affecting quarterly earnings.
• Tree trimming and vegetation management, while beneficial, might lead to temporary disruptions in affected communities.
• The reliance on external contractors and aerial saws indicates a potential increase in operational costs.

Toledo Edison invests $7 million to reinforce the power grid during severe weather

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

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 100 miles of power lines across Toledo Edison's service area since the beginning of the year. The company is on track to complete an additional 1,850 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:

• Defiance: Ayersville, Defiance and Ney
• Fulton: Fayette, Delta and Lyons
• Henry: Holgate, Hamler, McClure and Ridgeville Corners
• Lucas: Oregon and Toledo
• Sandusky: Clyde, Fremont, Gibsonburg, Helena, Millersville and Woodville
• Wood: Grand Rapids, Lakewood, Northwood, Pemberville, Tontogany and Weston

As part of its notification process, Toledo 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 Arbormetics Solutions, Jaflo Inc., Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Nelson Tree Service Inc. and Penn Line 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 Toledo 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.

Toledo Edison serves nearly 315,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at facebook.com/ToledoEdison.

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.

 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

What is the purpose of Toledo Edison's $7 million tree-trimming program?

The program aims to enhance electric service reliability and prevent power outages caused by trees during severe weather.

How many miles of power lines will Toledo Edison trim by the end of the year?

Toledo Edison plans to trim trees along 1,850 miles of power lines by year-end.

Which counties are affected by Toledo Edison's tree-trimming initiative?

Affected counties include Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, and Sandusky.

What is the role of aerial saws in Toledo Edison's vegetation management?

Aerial saws are used to trim trees in hard-to-access areas and environmentally sensitive zones, enhancing efficiency and safety.

How does Toledo Edison notify customers about tree-trimming schedules?

Toledo Edison collaborates with municipalities and notifies customers living along company rights-of-way before conducting vegetation management work.