Detroit Edison Announces Tree-Trimming Schedule
May 13 2008 - 3:01PM
PR Newswire (US)
Line clearance program improves electric service reliability
DETROIT, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Detroit Edison line-clearance crews
will be working in 50 Southeastern Michigan communities in May and
June, continuing their year-round effort to maintain service
reliability by keeping trees and branches away from power lines.
"We trim trees for two very important reasons -- to ensure our
customers have dependable electric service and to prevent safety
hazards," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president of Distribution
Operations. "By maintaining a 10-foot clearance between tree
branches and our power lines, we can significantly reduce
tree-related power outages." Tree interference is responsible for
about two-thirds of the power outages that occur during storms.
That's why Detroit Edison employs more than 500 professional tree
trimmers to maintain the estimated 3.5 million trees in its service
territory. The company's tree-trimming crews follow International
Society of Arboriculture standards to maintain the health of trees.
The company has received the National Tree Line USA Award for
quality tree care for 12 consecutive years. "Our goals are to keep
customers' trees alive, healthy and out of harm's way," explained
Dow. "The directional pruning method we use removes only the
branches that pose a threat to power lines, and helps ensure that
future growth is directed away from power lines. After we trim,
trees are less susceptible to disease and insect problems, and
because they're stronger, they're more resistant to high winds and
heavy ice." Detroit Edison removes from customer property the small
branches and debris that result from its tree trimming work. Larger
trimmed branches are cut into firewood length and left behind for
customer use or disposal. Detroit Edison will not, however, remove
diseased tree debris. Debris caused by a severe storm also is not
removed. In the aftermath of a storm, Detroit Edison crews must
work quickly to remove downed wire hazards and restore power to
thousands of customers. They will cut broken and uprooted trees in
order to reach locations that need repair. In such emergency
situations, customers are advised to contact their local Department
of Public Works, trash collector or a professional tree-removal
company for advice on disposing of debris. Customers are
responsible for keeping tree branches away from their service
drops, the lines that run from utility poles to their homes.
Although the voltage running through the service drop is
significantly lower than that of pole-to-pole wires, Detroit Edison
recommends that customers hire a professional tree service to do
this trimming. Visit my.dteenergy.com/lineclearance to find more
information about line clearance and proper tree planting. In May
and June, line-clearance crews will continue or begin work in the
following communities: Huron County Bingham Township Chandler
Township Grant Township McKinley Township Oliver Township Pigeon
Ubly Winsor Township Ingham County Leroy Township Locke Township
Wheatfield Township Williamston Lapeer County Almont Township Imlay
Township Livingston County Conway Township Handy Township Macomb
County Bruce Township Chesterfield Township Lenox Township Macomb
Township Ray Township Utica Shelby Township Warren Monroe County
Ida Township Oakland County Beverly Hills Birmingham Clarkston
Farmington Hills Highland Township Lyon Township Milford Milford
Township New Hudson Southfield White Lake St. Clair County Brockway
Township Casco Township Emmett Township Lynn Township Tuscola
County Denmark Township Elkland Township Elmwood Township Gagetown
Richville Washtenaw County Freedom Township Ypsilanti Wayne County
Detroit Harper Woods Wayne DATASOURCE: Detroit Edison CONTACT:
Eileen Dixon, +1-313-235-9154, or Len Singer, +1-313-235-8809, both
for Detroit Edison Web site: http://www.dteenergy.com/
http://my.dteenergy.com/lineclearance
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