PPL policies on trimming trees change

Published: March 8, 2010

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HARRISBURG - State Rep. Robert E. Belfanti Jr. D-107, said some area property owners may be affected by new federal rules that require PPL to trim back or remove additional trees and other vegetation along major transmission lines.

Belfanti said he was recently informed by the company that new federal requirements on vegetation management along power lines are forcing the company to change some of its policies on the presence of trees and shrubs along power line rights of way.

"PPL is contacting property owners who will be affected by these new vegetation management policies," Belfanti said. "The company has informed me that they are doing their best to communicate with property owners before any of this work begins."

Keeping trees and other vegetation away from power lines, particularly high-voltage main lines, is important in preventing power outages. The company pointed out that a blackout in 2003 that impacted a large portion of the northeastern United States was caused in part by a tree coming into contact with a high-voltage power line.

Since then, the federal government has imposed new guidelines for keeping high-voltage lines free of trees and other vegetation. The new guidelines mean PPL will have to trim back or remove some trees and vegetation that the company had previously permitted to remain.

"The company faces stiff fines if it doesn't comply with the new regulations, and while many people would prefer trees and plants not be removed from these areas, they can impact the transmission of power to customers. A blackout can leave thousands of residents without power for hours and cost area businesses millions of dollars," Belfanti pointed out.

Belfanti said area property owners or other residents who have questions about the new vegetation management policies or the work PPL will be doing are invited to contact the company by calling toll-free (877) 528-2889, or visit this Web site: www.pplweb.com/vegetation.

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1 posted comments

Not to pick on Belfanti specifically or to question the wisdom of this Federal 'rule', but I just love when state reps claim that the Federal Government can do whatever it wants and the state is powerless but to comply. If the Federal Government over steps its boundaries, like it has with the National-ID card "Real-ID act", it is precisely the state reps J-O-B to put an end to the incursion.
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." - Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
CPAC has proposed a federal law requiring the Feds to cite the section of the Constitution in every bill that grants it the authority to pass the bill. Wouldnt that be nice!
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jburdman7,  03/08/10 2:29