The expectations of our membership have changed dramatically in recent years when it comes to reliable electric service. More people are working from home, attending classes virtually, and incorporating connected electronics into essential parts of their lives. Consumers are making it clear that their tolerance for service interruptions is at an all-time low. Henry County REMC has made reliability an even more significant part of its mission than it already was.
Major investments of time and resources have the vegetation management, pole testing, inspection, and maintenance programs running as aggressively as ever, and the plan is to continue those efforts throughout 2024. Last year, we completed rigorous maintenance projects and tree clearing along 164 miles of line in the areas fed by our Raysville and Johnstown Substations. This year, we will do the same along 92 miles of line fed by the Anderson substations, representing some of the thickest vegetation areas on our system that are particularly prone to tree-caused outages. Consumers and property owners in those areas can expect an increased presence of HCREMC employees and contractors in the coming months. Concerns or questions about tree work can be directed to Mark Bauman at 765-422-1134.
Additionally, the HCREMC construction work plan calls for approximately 30 miles of existing lines to be rebuilt, upgraded, or converted to underground annually. HCREMC staff prioritize lines based on several factors, but reliability is always at the forefront when selecting projects. An updated map of these large-scale construction projects is available at hcremc.com, and any questions can be directed to Heath Hudnut by calling 765-422-1136.
A large part of improving reliability is to prevent outage situations, but we also hold ourselves to high standards when it comes to reducing the number of meters impacted when an outage does occur and when it comes to quick and efficient restoral times.
We constantly seek ways to improve our sectionalizing capabilities and response times.
Improvements in these areas have been priorities in recent years and the measurable results have been significant increases in reliability across the overall HCREMC footprint. While the improved service is something to be proud of, HCREMC’s employees will not rest on these accomplishments. The momentum, diligence, and commitment to continuous improvement are a part of who we are, and we will work throughout the year to provide the best service possible. Our membership had power 99.973% of the time in 2023, but we know we can do even better, and we’ll be working as hard as ever to ensure that happens.
