FirstEnergy Continues Tree Trimming Program in Ohio Edison Service Area
Work Includes More Than 4,100 Miles of Lines and Helps Enhance Reliability
AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) continues to conduct tree trimming and other vegetation management work in communities across Ohio Edison's 34-county service area in Ohio to maintain proper clearances around electrical equipment and help protect against tree-related outages.
Since the beginning of the year, contractors have trimmed trees along approximately 3,500 miles of distribution and transmission lines in the Ohio Edison service area as part of the company's $22.8 million vegetation management program for 2016, with an additional 600 miles expected to be completed by year-end.
"Tree trimming is one of the most important things we do every year to help maintain our electric system," said Randall A. Frame, regional president, Ohio Edison. "Whether it be maintaining distribution wires in tree-lined city neighborhoods, or keeping rural transmission line corridors free of incompatible trees and shrubs, our goal is to enhance service reliability for our customers by reducing the number of tree-related outages."
During the next several months, Ohio Edison will conduct tree trimming in the following communities: Akron, Ashland, Berlin Center, Blooming Grove, Boston Heights, Campbell, Choctaw Lake, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, Deerfield, Edinburg, Ellsworth, Elyria, Essex, Franklin Township, Galion, Garrettsville, Green Camp, Hartville, Hills and Dales, Hubbard, Huron, Iberia, Kent, Lafayette, Leavitsburg, Liberty Township, London, Lorain, Lordstown, Magnetic Springs, Marion, Massillon, Medina, Meyers Lake, Milton Township, Montville, Newton Falls, North Canton, North Ridgeville, Peninsula, Plain City, Plumwood, Randolph, Ravenna Township, Richwood, Rootstown, Sandusky, Springfield, Wadsworth, Warren, Windham, York Center,
The vegetation management work is conducted by certified forestry experts under the company's direction, including: Asplundh Tree Expert Company; Davey Tree Expert Company; Nelson Tree Service Inc.; PennLine Service, Townsend Tree Service; and Wright Tree Service.
As part of its notification process, Ohio Edison works with municipalities to inform them of tree trimming schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way also are notified prior to vegetation management work being done.
The tree trimming is done on a four-year cycle. Vegetation is inspected and trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree, while also maintaining safety near electric facilities. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed.
Ohio Edison serves more than 1 million customers across 34 Ohio counties. Follow Ohio Edison on Twitter @OhioEdison and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OhioEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow on Twitter at @FirstEnergyCorp.
Editor's Note: Photos of workers using bucket trucks to trim trees near FirstEnergy power lines are available for download on Flickr.
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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