Ohio Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp., is conducting tree trimming and other vegetation management work in communities across its 34-county service area in Ohio to help enhance service reliability for customers. The work helps to maintain proper clearances around electrical equipment, which can reduce the frequency and duration of power outages, especially those associated with severe weather in the spring and summer months.
Since the beginning of the year, tree contractors have been working to trim trees along nearly 5,000 circuit miles of electric lines in the Ohio Edison service area as part of a $22.5 million vegetation management program for 2020. The work is on track for completion by the end of the year.
"Tree trimming is some of the most important and effective work we do every year to help maintain our power system," said Edward Shuttleworth, regional president of Ohio Edison. "This work pays dividends year-round by reducing tree-related service disruptions, which is paramount these days since people are spending more time in their homes during the coronavirus health emergency."
Tree trimming is done on a four-year cycle. The program includes inspecting vegetation near the lines to ensure the trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree while also maintaining safety near electric facilities. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed.
As part of its notification process, Ohio Edison works with municipalities to inform them of tree trimming schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way also are notified prior to vegetation management work being done.
The vegetation management work is conducted by certified forestry experts under the company's direction, including Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Davey Tree Expert Company, Nelson Tree Service Inc. PennLine Service, Townsend Tree Service and Wright Tree Service.
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