Call Us 740-344-2102 Electric Outage 888-535-5732
Right-of-Way
Right-of-Way
To keep electricity reliable and protect our members from any potential electrical hazards, we maintain the right-of-way (ROW) clearing. Trees touching power lines are the most common cause of service outages and “blinks” which can be dangerous.
ROW clearing includes cutting, mowing, and spraying 15 feet from a single-phase line and 20 feet from a three-phase line and certain distances around buried gas pipelines and electric facilities.
The Energy Cooperative uses selective herbicides to remove only unwanted weeds, brush and trees from right-of-ways. This enhances wildlife habitats by promoting grasses, low-growing shrubs, and other ground cover that birds, deer, and small animals prefer.
We also use nonselective herbicides where total vegetation control is necessary. When doing so we practice precision application and use buffer zones to provide an extra measure of precaution by avoiding gardens, flowers and other plants important to members.
If you are planting a tree or installing a fence or another structure near underground utilities, please call OHIO811. They will measure the proper distances and check to see if the area you plan to dig is safe.
Planting Guidelines
Trees can conduct electricity and create safety hazards if limbs grow too close to electric lines. Electrical arcing from a wire to a nearby branch can cause power outages, fires and other maintenance problems that can be costly.
That is why trees growing near power lines must be pruned to keep a safe distance from the wires. If you have trees growing into power lines, contact us at 740-344-2102. Our team is highly trained to safely trim trees for electric power line clearances.
Trimming from the Sky
In addition to our own Right-of-Way (ROW) crews, we contract with an aerial cutting company to help us keep the power on for our electric members. Their helicopter maintains clearance from our lines in the cooperative’s rights-of-way.
Aviation trimming can reach limbs growing on overhanging power lines that our equipment cannot. It is the most cost-effective and efficient way to keep line clearance and minimize outages for our members.
