The Key To System Reliability

Here on the Nature Coast, WREC recognizes and appreciates the beauty and aesthetics that trees provide to the landscape throughout our entire service territory. However, trees and power lines are not a good combination, as they are the leading cause of power outages on WREC’s system. It is essential to balance tree trimming with the safe and reliable operation of the Cooperative’s electric distribution system. This balance helps prevent future outages caused by fallen trees or branches on the lines.

Tree Planting Guide

The right-of-way (ROW) is the land WREC uses to construct, maintain, replace, or repair underground and overhead power lines. The ROW allows utility services like WREC to clear trees and other obstructions that could impede installation, maintenance, or operation. Ensuring that WREC and other utilities have access to ROW areas is crucial. If you have a gate with a code, please provide WREC with the code for access. WREC can also place a padlock on gates to ensure secure access for both WREC and homeowners, which is vital for maintenance and repairs.

Understanding the ROW is also important for knowing where to plant trees and shrubs so they do not grow and interfere with the power lines. WREC's vegetation management department and licensed contractors play a vital role in maintaining the safety of the ROW. Our team of experts, including licensed tree-cutting professionals and arborists, ensures reliable power for our Members by removing trees and shrubs that could threaten power lines.

There are three major benefits of vegetation management: safety, reliability, and affordability. We prioritize the safety of our Members and employees. Overgrown vegetation near power lines poses a safety threat, as it could catch fire or cause outages if it touches or falls on a power line. Strategic tree trimming reduces the number of downed power lines, which can lead to prolonged outages. Healthy vegetation is less likely to affect the power lines.

Plant education is crucial for understanding when planting trees and shrubs. For more information, visit wrec.net. As a not-for-profit electric Cooperative, we aim to keep costs down. Planning ahead and implementing vegetation management practices help reduce costs while preventing outages. We encourage Members to maintain their trees before they interfere with power lines and equipment.

Remember, only specially trained line-clearing professionals should work around power lines. It is each Member's responsibility to have other trees on their property trimmed. Educated planting decisions contribute to the reliability of utility services and the overall safety and aesthetics of the community.

 

 

 

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Safety Is Our Number One Priority For Our Members, Employees, and The General Public.

  • Never trim, prune, or remove trees near power lines.
  • Only use qualified licensed tree contractors to remove or trim trees growing near power lines.
  • If you plan to remove or trim a tree near WREC power lines, please contact your local Cooperative office.
  • It is recommended that trees and shrubs not to be planted within 50 feet of WREC overhead power lines especially trees that grow greater than 25 feet in height.

If you are going to plant shrubs, trees, or install a fence, be sure to call 811 forty-eight hours before you dig so power lines and other possible hazards can be located.