Clearing the Path to Reliability

Trees are majestic, beautiful, and good for the soul. But the whims of Mother Nature can make the most beautiful tree a danger. That’s why Wharton County Electric Cooperative must balance maintaining the beautiful surroundings we all cherish with ensuring reliable electricity.

You might not realize it, but regular tree trimming is one of WCEC’s most essential activities. Keeping power lines clear of overgrown vegetation improves service reliability. During severe weather, fallen tree limbs can take down power lines and utility poles. While many factors can cause power disruptions, about half of all outages are due to overgrown vegetation.

This is why you sometimes see WCEC linemen or one of our contract crews out in the community trimming trees near power lines. In fact, all U.S. electric utilities are required to trim trees that grow too close to power lines.

Scheduled trimming throughout the year keeps lines clear of overgrown or dead limbs likely to fall, and we are better able to prepare for severe weather events.

This year, WCEC begins a five-year initiative to clear all lines within our service territory. BH Trees and TUF Industrial have been contracted to help in this initiative.

Much like our pole inspection process, the vegetation management program places each circuit of our service territory into a five-year rotation. As our contractors begin in an area, they will trim enough at each site to prevent interference with our lines for the next five years.

While we all know it’s more cost-effective to undertake preventative maintenance than it is to make repairs after the fact, there are many reasons why tree trimming is so important.

Working near power lines can be dangerous, and we care about your safety and that of our lineworkers. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose a grave danger to families. If children can reach those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor such as a tree.

Any tree or branch that falls across a power line creates a potentially dangerous situation. A proactive approach reduces the chances of fallen trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.

As a co-op, WCEC always strives to keep costs down for our members. If trees and other vegetation are left unchecked, they can become overgrown and expensive to correct. A strategic vegetation management program helps keep costs down for everyone.

When it comes to vegetation management, there are ways you can help, too. When planting new trees, make sure they’re planted a safe distance from overhead power lines.

Additionally, if you spot an overgrown tree or branch that’s dangerously close to overhead lines, please let us know by contacting us at 979-543-6271.

We have deep roots in our community, and we love our beautiful surroundings. It takes a balanced approach, and our vegetation management program is a crucial tool in ensuring service reliability, safety, and affordability.

These logos represent WCEC’s trusted tree-trimming contractors. 

Visit MyWCEC.coop/OutagePrevention for more information.