Maintaining Public Safety
Lane-Scott's power line right-of-way responsibilities are first, to maintain public safety and the safety of our employees, and second, to keep power flowing reliably across our electric distribution system, delivering electricity to our members.
To keep our more than 2,000 miles of line flowing with electricity, Lane-Scott line crews and hired contractors monitor and maintain our lines, ensuring right-of-ways are safe and crews can easily access lines and equipment in any weather. Crews look for potentially dangerous situations in the rights of way including swimming pools, buildings, irrigation equipment, wire fences and tall trees which can all be dangerous when too close to power lines.
Fire, Electrical Hazards
Trees growing near power lines can cause a fire, as well as an electrical hazard to anyone in contact with the tree on the ground. Trees don't have to physically touch an energized power line to be dangerous. Electricity can arc from the power line to nearby trees given the right conditions. This electric current can kill anyone caught near the tree and cause a fire.
This arcing can also cause power outages disrupting service to your home, business, and others.
The National Electric Safety Code specifies power liens be kept specific distances from nearby objects - including trees. The code requires greater clearances for higher voltage lines.
Property Owner Responsibility
Even though crews inspect our power lines, you can help by notifying us if you see anything such as trees or limbs that might interfere with our power lines. You can also stop problems before they start by properly planting trees away from power lines. Shrubs, hedges and other plants must also be kept away from power poles and off power line access roads.
Trimming Trees
Always look for nearby power lines before beginning to cut down any tree. Call us BEFORE cutting down limbs or trees that might fall into a line. If a tree falls into a power line do not try to remove it. Call Lane-Scott Electric at once!
Hidden Hazards! Treat all power lines as energized. Never climb or attempt to fell a tree that has a limb caught in a line. You may not see any visible sign the tree is electrified or dangerous.
