Mon Power tree trimming will be rigorous the next 4 years

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Tree trimming is one of the most important tools companies have to manage power outages, according to First Energy spokesman Todd Meyers.

The company is in its first year into a 5-year rigorous tree trimming effort across West Virginia.

Meyers said the initiative is a direct result of a public service commission order a year ago this month. The commission order followed those damaging derechos of 2012.

The goal is to reduce the number of outages and shorten the duration of outages when they do occur.

“If the rights of way are clear, then the guys can get around and utility workers can get around restore power more quickly,” said Meyers. “It’s all about trying to provide as reliable service as possible to our customers.”

In 2012, trees accounted for 37 percent of the company’s power outages. By the end of 2014, trees accounted for 30 percent of the company’s power outages.

According to a release from First Energy, the company subsidiary Mon Power expects to invest approximately $72 million in 2015 to trim trees and control vegetation.

Tree trimming companies are being contracted to maintain proper clearances along more than 4,500 miles of distribution and transmission lines.

According to Meyers, the trimming will be more substantial than residents have seen in the past.

“Once we have our trimmers come through with these new specifications, you would see blue sky, or whatever color the sky is, from ground to sky.”