Central Maine Power a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, will perform tree trimming work in more than 30 communities in Maine’s Hancock, Knox, and Waldo counties during the second half of 2012. The work along utility lines is part of a $25 million annual vegetation management program to improve the reliability of its transmission and distribution lines.
“We maintain nearly 24,000 miles of roadside distribution lines on a five-year cycle of vegetation clearing, inspection, and repair,” said CMP spokesman John Carroll. “Contact with trees is the most frequent cause of blinking clocks and power outages, so customers should see better reliability as the crews trim along the roadsides in their towns.”
CMP’s arborists and contractors will work in the following communities: Appleton, Belfast, Bucksport, Burnham, Camden, Castine, Cushing, Ellsworth, Frankfort, Freedom, Friendship, Hope, Islesboro, Jackson, Knox, Liberty, Lincolnville, Montville, Northport, Orland, Penobscot, Rockland, Rockport, Searsport, Stockton Springs, Swanville, Thomaston, Thorndike, Troy, Union, Unity, Verona, Warren, and Washington.
“These crews play a key role in helping CMP provide the safe, reliable service that customers depend on,” said Carroll. “The work can be difficult, so we urge motorists who pass these crews to proceed slowly and at a safe distance.”
CMP contracts with professional arborists who are required to follow practices established by the International Society of Arboriculture. These include consideration for the health, shape, strength, growth rate, and appearance of trees before and after pruning. CMP notifies customers about its vegetation management activities every year with inserts in its bills. Customers can sign up to receive a notice when tree trimming is happening in their area.
