At Southern Indiana Power, we strive to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping our power lines clear in rights-of-way (ROW). A right-of-way is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace, or repair underground and overhead power lines. Our rights-of-way measure 20 feet on each side (40 feet total) of the power lines, which enables the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder power line installation, maintenance, or operation. The overall goal of our vegetation management program is to provide reliable power to our members while maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways:

Safety

First and foremost, we care about our members and put their safety and that of our linemen above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, trees touching power lines in our members’ yards can pose an electrocution hazard to families. If children can access those trees, they can climb into an energized danger zone. Trees touching a power line can cause electricity to arc (or jump) down the tree as it acts like a conductor of electricity. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events, making it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore your power.

Reliability

Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear rights-of-way don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming and spraying keep lines clear to promote reliability.

Affordability

As you know, Southern Indiana Power is a not-for-profit cooperative. That means we strive to keep our costs in check to keep our rates as low as possible. This extends to our approach to vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs increases. An effective vegetation management program helps keep costs down for everyone.

Our community is a special place. We appreciate the beauty trees afford, but we also know our community depends on us to provide reliable energy. Through proper vegetation management, we can keep the power lines clear, prepare for future weather events, and increase reliability for all.