ComEd intends to perform mid-cycle vegetation management activities during November or December of 2014. The vegetation management activities are a key component of ComEd’s maintenance program to ensure system electrical reliability, as vegetation contact with ComEd equipment is a leading cause of outages.
Please be aware that ComEd has notified any affected customers and property owners with (i) a statement of the vegetation management activities planned, (ii) the address of a website and a toll free telephone number at which a written disclosure of all dispute resolution opportunities and processes, rights, and remedies provided by the electric public utility may be obtained, (iii) a statement that the customer and the property owner may appeal the planned vegetation management activities through the electric public utility and the Illinois Commerce Commission, (iv) a toll-free telephone number through which communication may be had with a representative of the electric public utility regarding the vegetation management activities, and (v) the telephone number of the Consumer Affairs Officer of the Illinois Commerce Commission.
ComEd recognizes that their vegetation management activities sometimes create concern by residents because trees near electrical wires are significantly trimmed or sometimes require removal. Qualified line-clearance workers contracted by ComEd will perform the tree pruning work. Supervisors and General Foremen will be in close contact with the crews, ensuring that the work is performed properly. Additionally, ComEd is strong advocates of proactive efforts to ensure that only appropriate vegetation is planted near their facilities, and their easement and leases usually specify vegetation restrictions. Trees that grow greater than 20 feet, for example maple, elm and blue spruce, should never be planted under or near distribution power lines. At full height, these trees could contact lines and cause a power outage or create a safety issue. On the other hand, trees and bushes that grow to heights less than 20 feet, for example dogwoods or crabapples, can often be planted near distribution power lines. For more information about vegetation maintenance along power lines and ComEd’s “Right Tree, Right Place” program, please visit: http://www.comed.com/sites/customerservice/Pages/TreesPowerlines.aspx