Trees are the #1 cause of outages
Vegetation Maintenance Required
The National Electric Safety Code, which sets guidelines for the safeguarding of utility workers and the general public in relation to electrical equipment, requires the maintenance of proper tree clearance in the utility easement.
Section V - General Rules And Conditions of Service
By receiving the electric service from Connexus Energy, the member is deemed to consent to Connexus Energy’s entrance on the member’s property to trim, cut, or remove trees and other vegetation, including the application of approved herbicides, as Connexus Energy determines to be necessary for its line maintenance program.
Connexus Energy is obligated and committed to providing safe and reliable power to our members, employees and the general public by adhering to the maintenance guidelines.
Systematic Line Maintenance
Connexus Energy conducts a systematic vegetation maintenance program to provide reliable electrical service along with safe operating conditions. In order to achieve both, routine vegetation activities are completed on a regular maintenance cycle of approximately every five to eight years.
Member Request
If you are concerned that branch or a tree is too close to a power line, call us to inspect the vegetation clearance. Do not go near or touch a tree touching a power line. In such cases where a property owner request a tree or branch removed, and Connexus Energy’s electric wires present an obstacle, Connexus Energy will assess and solely determine which action to take, during regular working hours, (1) remove the lines temporarily while the work is being done by the owner or their licensed tree contractor, or (2) trim the tree/branch to an approved distance from the power line leaving the remaining portion of the tree and the clean-up work to be done by the owner; in both cases, no charge will be assessed to the owner.
Storm Damaged Trees
If trees have been damaged by a storm, cutting and trimming will be done at the discretion of Connexus Energy in order to remove the danger and repair the lines. Clean-up work and any yard damage, including ruts from equipment or damage to other trees resulting from falling limbs/trees, shall be the responsibility of the property owner/member.
Member-Owned
Connexus Energy is not responsible for the following:
- Trimming or removal of trees that endanger the owner’s own lines located beyond the point of service.
- Trimming and/or removing shrubs to gain access to pad-mount equipment on a utility easement.
Download a copy of the right tree
Article 146