MAKING THE CUT FOR RELIABILITY
Right-of-way maintenance is an important part of Firelands Electric Cooperative’s annual work plan. Also referred to as tree-trimming or vegetation management, this task is vital for delivering reliable power and for the safety of our members and line crews.

WHAT IS A RIGHT-OF-WAY?
A right-of-way is the strip of land underneath and around power lines and transformers that Firelands Electric has the right and responsibility to maintain and clear. We must keep trees and other vegetation a proper distance from equipment to prevent harm to people or disruptions in electric service. Specifications vary, but a general rule of thumb for maintaining a safe right-of-way is 20 feet of clearance on either side of primary lines. The area above poles and wires should be kept completely clear of all vegetation. Shrubs and other plants should be kept a minimum of 10 feet away from pad-mounted, or ground, transformers.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Downed trees cause a substantial number of power outages, and each year our crews take steps to reduce the impact. Clearing the right-of-way is crucial for keeping our members’ power on. Branches that come into contact with power lines can cause voltage fluctuations, blinking lights, or even outages.

Right-of-way clearing also keeps your family safer by ensuring that tree branches and vegetation do not become energized due to close contact with a power line or other electrical equipment. With the ability to carry up to 34,500 volts, a power line touching a tree branch can be incredibly dangerous — even deadly. Be mindful when around trees that are close to power lines, and make sure your family knows that climbing trees near power lines or going near pad-mounted transformers is extremely dangerous. 

OUR RESPONSIBILITY
Firelands Electric maintains 995 miles of line that brings power to more than 9,100 homes and businesses, making right-of-way maintenance a big job. Each year, we schedule contractors to work in specific areas of the cooperative’s service territory to try to keep ahead of any potential issues.

If a tree invades the right-of-way, the cooperative’s vegetation management team will trim back branches and brush using a combination of large and small equipment. We also occasionally use chemical control methods to stop low-growing plant species that can climb poles and trees and interfere with power lines.

If you have existing trees on your property that are in danger of making contact with the cooperative’s power lines, we encourage you to notify us. For more information on the cooperative’s vegetation management program, questions about tree trimming, or assistance in selecting the right tree to plant, visit our website at www.firelandsec.com/right-way-clearance or contact Firelands Electric’s System Right-of-Way Coordinator James Miller at 1-800-533-8658.

FIRELANDS ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE'S
2024 RIGHT-OF-WAY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Vegetation management and right-of-way tree maintenance is tentatively scheduled in 2024 for the following areas and will include brush hogging, cutting, trimming, and any necessary tree removals:

  • Ashland County — Montgomery, Orange, and Vermillion townships

  • Huron County — Butler, Fitchville, Greenwich, New Haven, Richmond, and Ripley townships

  • Lorain County — Rochester Township

  • Richland County — Blooming Grove, Cass, and Weller townships