Tree Leads to Power Outage
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (August 15, 2005) – A tree growing too close to power lines was the cause of a power outage last Thursday affecting some 53,000 members of Blue Ridge Electric in Watauga, Ashe and Alleghany counties.
The tree was located on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where Blue Ridge Electric and parkway officials work closely to maintain the natural beauty of this scenic and protected area. Blue Ridge Electric and parkway officials are working on an agreement to trim any trees in the affected area that might jeopardize power reliability again.
Thursday’s outage, which started at 1:12 p.m. and was restored within 32 minutes, was also partly the result of the heat, which can cause power lines to sag. When the outside air temperature and humidity reached a certain point, it caused the line to sag into a tree that at other times appeared to be an adequate distance from the power line.
Trees are one of our area’s most precious resources and the hallmark of northwest North Carolina. Growing too close to power lines, however, trees are a threat to keeping electricity flowing and reliable. This is especially true during ice or snow storms or when high winds are blowing but can also be true during summer months as experienced last Thursday.
Trees in the path of power lines are the top threat to power reliability. That’s why the trimming of trees and large growth around power lines is part of a thorough right of way maintenance program for all electric utilities. It is especially critical for rural areas such as northwest North Carolina which has heavy tree growth.
Blue Ridge Electric’s goal for its right-of-way management program is to strike a balance between retaining the beauty of our region and providing reliable electricity to our members.
Additional information on the importance of right of way management:
To help make sure trees aren’t interfering with reliability, Blue Ridge Electric spends more than $2 million annually on right-of-way clearing near power lines. Trimming rights-of-way in critical areas near power lines greatly reduces the chance of falling trees or branches causing an outage to homes or businesses. It also provides a safe path for service and linemen to respond quickly when an outage does occur or maintenance work is needed.
Blue Ridge Electric hires professional contract crews for right-of-way maintenance. Advance notification is sent to members when these crews will be working on their property.
Blue Ridge Electric utilizes a combination approach to right of way maintenance. Trees and large shrub growth that threaten reliability are either bush hogged or trimmed by hand. The following summer, a herbicide treatment that allows low growing vegetation to thrive is applied to the sprouts of the large trees cut the preceding year. A “back pack” application method is used, allowing right of way crews to apply droplets on individual sprouts. Then, the cycle is repeated in that area again several years later if needed. This year, a new six year right of way cycle is being implemented, which will eventually save the cooperative money and reduce the amount of debris left behind by right of way clearing.
