System maintenance is key to reliable service
Our objective at Callaway Electric Cooperative is to provide safe, quality and reliable electric service at the lowest cost consistent with sound business practices. To help accomplish this we depend on proactive right-of-way (ROW) initiatives, including strategic vegetation management practices.
Callaway Electric has contractor crews that perform this work to minimize the potential time members would be without power should a tree or tree branch fall on our lines and disrupt electric service.
WHAT IS RIGHT-OF-WAY?
It is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Right of way enables the cooperative to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation. Callaway Electric must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the ROW.
WE CLEAR THE ROW FOR:
SAFETY
We care about our members and put their safety and that of our lineworkers first. If trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.
RELIABILITY
Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Proactive trimming and pruning keeps lines clear to promote reliability and decreases the chance that a tree or branch will fall during a severe weather event that would cause members in that area to be without necessary power for an undesired duration of time.
AFFORDABILITY
If trees grow too close to power lines or poles are not monitored and changed when needed, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming, vegetation management and system maintenance efforts keep costs down for everyone.
