Working to Keep Communities Safe: PG&E Offers Fall Tree Trimming Safety Tips

Rhea-AI Summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) reported over 100 incidents of tree branches falling onto powerlines this year, posing risks for outages and ignitions. The company's Senior Director of Wildfire Risk Management, Andrew Abranches, urged homeowners and tree crews to contact PG&E before starting tree work near powerlines. PG&E emphasizes the importance of safety evaluations and adherence to vegetation clearance requirements, inspecting over 100,000 miles of electric lines annually to mitigate risks. For more tips on safe tree trimming, visit www.pge.com/powerlinesafety.

Positive

• Proactive measures by PG&E to address tree-related powerline incidents.
• Regular inspections and monitoring of over 100,000 miles of electric lines to enhance safety.

Negative

• Increase in incidents of tree branches falling onto powerlines indicates potential safety concerns.
• Over 100 incidents could suggest inadequate preventive measures taken by homeowners and tree crews.

Instances of felled branches or trees onto powerlines increased this year

OAKLAND, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fall is here! ‘Tis the season for Veteran’s Day, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. Many people are also thinking about cleaning up their yards before the weather changes to make room for holiday decorations by trimming bushes and removing dead trees. Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has seen more than 100 incidents where trees or tree limbs have fallen into powerlines by either the homeowner conducting tree work or by the homeowner’s hired tree crew. These incidents are the type of situation that can cause outages and lead to ignitions.

“We are seeing an increase in tree branches coming down onto powerlines during tree work and whether you’re a licensed tree crew, logger, harvest plan owner or landowner, we encourage you to call us before you trim or fell trees near powerlines,” said Andrew Abranches, Senior Director for PG&E’s Wildfire Risk Management Team.

The phone number to call is (800) 564-5080. Here are additional tips for residential and business customers to practice safe tree trimming and removal.

BEFORE WORKING NEAR POWERLINES:

• Call PG&E to request a safety evaluation of the area. PG&E will ensure it is safe to fell a tree in that area, either by de-energizing the line or it might be a situation where PG&E will schedule its contractor to do the work.
• It is unlawful to work within 10 feet of a distribution or a transmission line without calling the utility.
• If a tree or limb contacts the power line, stay away and immediately call 911 and then call PG&E. Do not attempt to remove the tree or limb from the line.

PG&E follows all applicable federal and state vegetation clearance requirements by performing regular trimming and removal of approximately along its 100,000 miles of electric lines. That includes inspecting and monitoring every PG&E overhead electric transmission and distribution line each year, with some locations patrolled multiple times.

For information about safely planting and trimming trees, visit www.pge.com/powerlinesafety.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221006005782/en/

MEDIA RELATIONS: 415-973-5930

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

What actions has Pacific Gas and Electric taken regarding fallen tree branches on powerlines?

Pacific Gas and Electric has reported over 100 incidents of fallen branches and is urging homeowners and tree crews to contact them for safety evaluations before tree work.

How does PG&E ensure safety near powerlines during tree trimming?

PG&E recommends calling for safety evaluations before trimming and adheres to federal and state vegetation clearance requirements.

What should you do if a tree contacts a power line?

Stay away from the area and immediately call 911, followed by PG&E.

How extensive is PG&E's electric line inspection?

PG&E inspects and monitors over 100,000 miles of electric lines annually to maintain safety.

Where can I find more information on safe tree trimming near powerlines?

Visit PG&E's website at www.pge.com/powerlinesafety for tips on safe tree trimming.