System maintenance is key to reliable service

Our objective at Callaway Electric Cooperative is to provide safe, quality and reliable electric service at the lowest cost consistent with sound business practices. To help accomplish this we depend on proactive right-of-way (ROW) initiatives, including strategic vegetation management practices.

Callaway Electric has contractor crews that perform this work to minimize the potential time members would be without power should a tree or tree branch fall on our lines and disrupt electric service.

WHAT IS RIGHT-OF-WAY?

It is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Right of way enables the cooperative to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation. Callaway Electric must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the ROW. 

WE CLEAR THE ROW FOR:

SAFETY

We care about our members and put their safety and that of our lineworkers first. If trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.

RELIABILITY

Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Proactive trimming and pruning keeps lines clear to promote reliability and decreases the chance that a tree or branch will fall during a severe weather event that would cause members in that area to be without necessary power for an undesired duration of time. 

AFFORDABILITY

If trees grow too close to power lines or poles are not monitored and changed when needed, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Effective tree trimming, vegetation management and system maintenance efforts keep costs down for everyone.

ROW Vegetation Management

WHY WE SPRAY:

Vegetation management in an electric right-of-way is crucial for safety and accessibility. Clearing vegetation along the ROW improves visibility, allowing for better inspection and maintenance of power infrastructure. It also facilitates easy access for repair crews during emergencies, minimizing response times and ensuring public safety.

WHAT WE SPRAY:

While vegetation management is necessary, it's important to do it in an environmentally responsible manner. This includes avoiding the use of harmful chemicals that could harm the ecosystem or pollinators.

The spray we use for vegetation management is a mix that is aquatic, pollinator, and livestock friendly.

WHAT WE TARGET WHEN SPRAYING:

• Woody Plant Species

  • We do this to improve safety and accessibility, but also to decrease the density of trees, bushes, and shrubs in the ROW. This results in lower costs to members due to not having a higher density of clearing to remove every seven years.

• Vines

  • Vine plant species can grow on poles, guy wires, and equipment. These plants are removed and cut off at ground level and the surrounding area is treated with an approved herbicide mixture to discourage regrowth.

The current goal of our vegetation management plan is to mechanically clear each of our 11 substations on a 10 year rotation. We then follow up 2 years later with low volume spraying to treat tall growing brush under the electric lines, while still encouraging growth of grasses and low growing vegetation. Spraying provides a cost-effective way to control growth in the right of way. Spraying typically takes place in the heat of summer months. Affected members receive a letter with details prior to the beginning of spraying. We appreciate all member support during the process of spraying and right of way clearing. It truly helps us maintain and improve the quality of the electric service we provide.