Tree Trimming/Right-of-way Maintenance Trees are the number one cause of power outages. Maintaining proper tree clearance in the utility easement is a requirement of the National Electric Safety Code.

Systematic Line Maintenance The Company may, from time to time, conduct a systematic program of right-of-way maintenance. The Company will trim, cut, or remove trees that in its judgment may cause an interruption in service, endanger the Company’s electric lines, or present a safety hazard. The Company may also utilize approved herbicides in its line maintenance program. The Company will make a reasonable effort to inform customers of its line maintenance program prior to starting the work.

Where possible, offending trees shall be removed entirely. Tree trimming must provide at least 10 feet of clearance from the Company’s conductors, provided, however, that the Company reserves the right to trim, cut, or remove trees farther than 10 feet from the Company’s conductors, if the Company determines that this additional clearance is clearly necessary to accomplish the purposes of its line maintenance program. Any tree trimming, cutting, or removal shall conform to any recorded easements. By receiving electric service from the Company, the customer is deemed to consent to the Company’s entrance on the customer’s property to trim, cut, or remove trees and other vegetation, including the application of approved herbicides, as the Company determines to be necessary for its line maintenance program.  
Special Trimming The Company will trim or cut trees that, in its opinion, endanger the Company’s electric lines. In such cases where a property owner wants a tree removed, and the Company’s electric wires present an obstacle, the Company will, during regular working hours, (1) remove the lines temporarily while the work is being done by the owner, or (2) fall the tree and leave the clean up work to be done by the owner; in both cases no charge will be assessed the owner.
Storm Damaged Trees If trees have been damaged by a storm, cutting and trimming will be done to remove the danger and repair the lines. Clean up work in such cases shall be the responsibility of the property owner/customer.

Customer-Owned
Company is not responsible for the following:

• Trimming or removal of trees that endanger the owner’s own lines located beyond the point of service.
• Trimming and/or removing shrubs to gain access to pad-mount equipment located on a utility easement. Damages to shrubs caused when accessing the equipment shall be repaired by the customer. Authorized agents of the Company will take the necessary precautions to try to minimize the damages when practical.