Who is Responsible for Trimming Trees Near Power Lines?

Oncor spokeswoman Kerri Dunn told 6 News Thursday there are very specific rules for trimming trees. Customers often have questions about how and why Dominion Energy manages trees and plants near our power lines. Any low voltage lines going from the power line to … This power line is …

They are required to do so by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) which has been adopted in most states.

Typically, cities already hold a contract with one provider who will do all the work. The tree is on your property. It is your responsibility to trim back any trees or vegetation on your property that are too close to – or in contact with – powerlines. If you do require additional shaping and cleaning of trees or debris removal after the VCM performs necessary pruning, that’s when we can help. We will not be allowed to prune your tree out of the power lines unless Oncor contracts us directly to do so. We carry out an extensive tree management programme. Trimming trees and vegetation around the utility’s power line that connects a person’s home to the utility pole is generally viewed as being the responsibility of the homeowner. Even if the tree trunk is on your neighbor’s property, you have the responsibility for cutting any branches that extend onto your property line. It’s important to note that property owners may also have some responsibility for trimming trees.

You are responsible for the cost of cutting any branches you choose to trim. We can turn your power off whilst your tree surgeon cuts away trees and bushes, which are near overhead power lines. You can cut back anything up to your property line.

However, if you have spotted a tree growing near to overhead lines that requires trimming or if a tree is affecting your power … If your trees need trimming, we recommend you hire a qualified tree pruner or arborist to safely remove foliage that is too close to powerlines. We often get requests from customers to shut down the power supply temporarily to allow their tree surgeons to work safely to cut back trees. The code, published by IEEEand updated every five years, seeks to keep both utility workers and the public safe. We cut trees and brush adjacent to our rights of way (the areas around power lines) to maintain safe, reliable and economic electric service, and to provide quicker access for our crews during service restoration and maintenance work. The National Electrical Safety Code(NESC) requires electric utilities, in most states, to maintain trees around power lines. However, a utility’s tree-trimming duty generally only extends to pole-to-pole utility power lines. Posted on September 26, 2019 by Jeffrey Feldman Electric utilities are responsible for trimming trees near power lines.