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Tree removal and vegetation management
Keeping the area around the power lines clear is critical to maintaining a safe, reliable electric system. Great River Energy closely follows industry standards, including those outlined in the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and requirements of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). If you are a landowner with specific questions about our tree removal and vegetation management questions, please feel welcome to contact us.
Q. How do you know when to remove or trim trees?
A. Great River Energy inspects its lines six times per year by air and once a year by ground for:
A. Yes. Occasionally crews may have to enter your property to remove or trim trees or to perform other maintenance work. In the event of an emergency, quick and direct access may be necessary for major repair. Great River Energy typically uses existing field or access roads with your permission and makes every effort to avoid damaging your property. We (or our contractor) will make a reasonable effort to contact you first. However, in emergencies, it may not be possible to contact you beforehand.
A. Where conditions permit and with the property owner’s permission, Great River Energy also uses herbicides as an effective and economical method of controlling tree and brush growth. Great River Energy’s herbicide application methods follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state agency regulations.
A. We handle elm and oak wood cut from rights of way according to local and state regulations.
A. The larger the power line, the more clearance required. Transmission lines operate at high enough voltages that actual contact with an object may not be necessary to cause an outage. Additionally, summer temperatures and higher electric use cause lines to sag, sometimes as much as 5 to 10 feet. We need to maintain 15- to 20-foot clearances between transmission lines and trees or other objects, and sometimes more.
A. For your benefit, DO NOT plant any trees in the right of way area before talking to Great River Energy first. As a landowner, even with an easement granted to Great River Energy, most property rights do remain with you, but we do not want to have to remove your new tree. Activities in the easement area that do not interfere with the safe construction, operation and maintenance of the line are permitted, such as using the land for pastureland, farming or gardening.
A. Not without prior written approval from Great River Energy. Buildings and other structures are generally not permitted on rights of way. Crops, driveways, fences, parking lots and other such activities are permitted but must be reviewed by Great River Energy prior to construction. Again, we need to discuss projects with you so we can avoid problems in the future.
