TRANSMISSION AND RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW)
VEGETATION MANAGEMENT AND TREE-TRIMMING

I.  Introduction

Federal Regulations

Transmission:  Detail federal requirements and rationale on vegetation management and tree-trimming.

Distribution:  Detail federal requirements and rationale on vegetation management and tree-trimming.

ANSI and IEEE Requirements

Transmission:  Detail industry requirements and rationale on vegetation management and tree-trimming.

Distribution:   Detail industry requirements and rationale on vegetation management and tree-trimming.

New York Regulations

Transmission:  Detail PSC requirements and rationale on vegetation management and tree-trimming.

Distribution:  Detail PSC requirements and rationale on vegetation management and tree-trimming.

II.  General Vegetation Management and Tree-Trimming Q&As

Transmission:  (5 questions/answers)

Distribution: (5 questions/answers)

III.  Utility-Specific Vegetation Management and Tree-Trimming Practices and Policies

Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R)

Distribution Line

The Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) distribution line tree-trimming practices is officially on a system-wide, four-year cycle.  Some locations, due to high customer density, a historically underperforming area/circuit/substation, priority sensitivity, or other factors, are attempted to be maintained on a slightly quicker basis on about 3.5-year cycle.  The program is organized to maintain approximately 1,200 miles of primary conductor per year.  The actual yearly total will adjust up or down as not every substation is the same length, and the yearly total may be plus or minus 100 miles (or more) of the 1,200 mile target.

The scope of work completed in the field is to obtain a 10 foot to the side, 10 foot underneath, and 15 foot overhead clearance area.  Exceptions to this are strong, structurally-sound tree sections greater than 6 inches in diameter.  Tree sections of this size are allowed, in cases, to remain within the 10 x 10 x 15 clearance zone as these are not typical failure points.  Tree sections of this type have been maintained and directionally pruned over the years to co-exist together.  Work of this type is usually completed within the Town/Village/Borough boundaries, high visibility, and sensitive areas.

The typical work completed around the electrical conductor is trimming to the 10 x 10 x 15 standard, combined with aggressive brush and small tree removal directly under and adjacent to the overhead conductor.  Where possible, a follow-up herbicidal stump treatment is completed to prevent and reduce regrowth from root collar suckers.

Pre-work notification to the customer is completed in a direct mailing in a stand-alone envelope.  Information enclosed in this mailing is the general announcement of the soon-to-be completed work, a description of why this work is necessary, a promotion of the concept of compatible tree plantings new power lines, and also includes the O&R customer service phone number for additional information and contact.  Also enclosed is a diagram of the distances required and potential resulting tree conditions.

Transmission Line

Utility Contact Information

Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Ed)

Distribution Line

Transmission Line

Utility Contact Information

National Grid

Distribution Line

Transmission Line

Utility Contact Information

Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E)

Distribution Line

Transmission Line

Utility Contact Information

New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG)

Distribution Line

Transmission Line

Utility Contact Information

Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corporation (CHG&E)

Distribution Line

Transmission Line

Utility Contact Information

IV.  How to File a Vegetation Management/Tree-Trimming Complaint with the Public Service Commission