AKRON, Ohio, May 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Toledo Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is conducting tree trimming and other vegetation management work in communities across its northwest Ohio service area to help enhance customer reliability. The work helps to maintain proper clearances around electrical equipment, which can reduce the frequency and duration of power outages, especially those associated with severe weather such as the numerous storms experienced this past winter.
Since the beginning of the year, tree contractors have trimmed more than 380 circuit miles of electric lines in the Toledo Edison service area as part of the nearly $7.2 million vegetation management program for 2018, with an additional 1,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines expected to be completed by year end.
"Tree trimming is some of the most important and effective work we do every year to help maintain our electric system," said Rich Sweeney, regional president, Toledo Edison. "This work pays dividends year-round in fewer service disruptions, particularly during severe storms that can do tremendous damage to trees, which then have the potential to damage our equipment."
Tree trimming will be conducted in the following communities this year:
- Archbold
- Genoa
- Holland
- Oak Harbor
- Oregon
- Perrysburg
- Swanton
- Toledo
- Wauseon
The tree trimming is done on a four-year cycle. The program includes inspecting vegetation near the lines to ensure the trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree, while also maintaining safety near electric facilities. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed.
As part of its notification process, Toledo Edison works with municipalities to inform them of tree trimming schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way also are notified prior to vegetation management work being done.
The vegetation management work is conducted by certified forestry experts under the company's direction, including: Arbormetics Solutions; Asplundh Tree Expert Company; Nelson Tree Service Inc.; and PennLine Service.
Toledo Edison serves more than 300,000 customers in northwest Ohio. Follow Toledo Edison on Twitter @ToledoEdison or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ToledoEdison.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or online at www.firstenergycorp.com.
Editor's Note: Photos of workers using bucket trucks to trim trees near FirstEnergy power lines are available for download on Flickr.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
