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  1. Member Services
  2. Vegetation Management
  3. Aerial Trim
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Vegetation Management

Aerial Trim


 

Rights-of-Way Management

In SEC’s commitment to providing our members with safe and reliable electricity, your Cooperative conducts rights-of-way tree trimming to reduce outages caused by trees and vegetation growth. Where crews are trimming, our certified arborists also look for hazard trees that need to be removed.

Updated technology, new and innovative safety practices, equipment, tools and methods are incorporated into SEC’s rights-of-way program and become standards, also known as industry best practices. The Cooperative adopts these standards as they evolve, all to increase reliability and improve efficiency. One of these technologies, while not new to the industry, is aerial trimming.

SEC first implemented aerial trimming in 2015, then again in 2018 and it continues today. Aerial trimming is an efficient way to cut limbs overhanging power lines that are higher than standard bucket trucks can reach or are not accessible with equipment. The only other way to remove those overhanging limbs is to climb each tree and piece down those limbs using ropes. It is a slow process and puts personnel at a greater risk by climbing to heights of up to 100 feet.

The helicopter uses a detachable saw hanging 130 feet below to remove overhang and trim back vegetation. It is an efficient and cost-effective solution to trimming, providing many years of power lines being free from overhang. This method of trimming greatly reduces the chances of limbs falling from snow, ice and wind. The Cooperative has seen positive results from aerial trimming and has plans to continue trimming for the next several years.

In 2021, this process helped SEC trim around 120 miles of line and over 9,000 hazard trees. Thus far in 2022, aerial trimming has taken place in Powhatan, Cumberland and Nottoway counties. During the process, members often experience blinks and/or temporary loss of power. Lineworkers are always on standby to restore lost power as soon as possible. Please do not approach the aircraft or enter the right-of-way if you see the aircraft.

 

Aerial Tree Trimming in Action


 

The Aerial Trimming Process

Tree Trim

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P.O. Box 63045 
Charlotte, NC 28263-3045

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Crewe, VA 23930

Phone# - 1-800-552-2118
Outage# - 866-878-5514

 

 

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To safely provide our members with electric service at the lowest possible cost, consistent with sound business practices.

 
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  • Home
  • My Cooperative
    • About SEC
    • Contact Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Meeting Minutes & Documents
    • Capital Credits
    • Broadband
    • Office Locations
    • Newsletters
  • Member Services
    • My Account
    • EZpay
    • Membership Application
    • Programs & Services
    • Net Metering
    • Vegetation Management
      • Overview
      • Line Maintenance
      • Brush Control
      • Aerial Trim
      • Planting Tips
    • Rates & Fees
    • Insurance Claim Form
  • My Community
    • Cooperative Living Magazine
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Tour
    • Day in the Life of a Lineworker
    • United We Light: Project Bolivia
    • Energy Assistance
    • Careers
    • For Kids
      • Kids Corner
    • Southside Opportunity Fund Golf Classic
    • Community Workshops
  • Outages & Safety
    • Outage Texting
    • Outage Center
    • Overhead Line Safety
    • Generator Safety
    • Outage & Storm Preparedness
    • Fire Safety
    • Major Outage FAQs
    • VA 811
    • VA Department of Emergency Management
  • Save Energy
    • Ways to Save
    • Electric Vehicles
  • Government Relations
    • VMDAEC Legislative Map
    • Who's My Legistator?
    • CO-OPS VOTE
    • Virginia Department of Elections
    • Virginia Public Access Project
    • Path To U.S Citizenship
    • VMDAEC Legislative Guide