Right-of-way maintenance is important and necessary for any electric utility to ensure service reliability and safety.

At Seward Electric, we recognize that an effective power line right-of-way maintenance program must always be balanced against the key factors of reliability and safety, as well as cost management. And like most utilities, we use multiple methods for maintaining our rights-of-way, including manual, mechanical and chemical vegetation control. Any use of herbicides will comply with local, state and federal rules and best practices.

When we trim or prune trees, we do so using industry standards that were developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). These methods involve pruning lateral branches and directional trimming to remove limbs at strong branches or at the tree trunk. By making proper cuts, we do not interfere with the tree’s natural defense mechanisms that protect it from decay. This method of pruning also removes branches at their natural shedding points, which reduces gr-growth.

Our crews at Seward Electric work to clear rights-of-way on regular cycles every 5-7 years, based on vegetation growth patterns or other circumstances. In some instances, dangerous trees—trees that are dead, dying, diseased or leaning toward facilities—must be removed. It’s important to remember that serious injury or death can occur if energized lines are touched or if an object is touched that is in contact with a line.

Our crews also are trained professionals and contractors who must be OSHA certified to trim trees around power lines. Untrained individuals should not attempt to trim trees near power lines for risk of serious or fatal injury. Approaching power lines is not only deadly, it's against the law.

Seward Electric will provide for “owner right-of-way maintenance” at no cost to the utility when the property owner requests to do their own clearing and specific requirements are met. Records also will be kept of all maintenance operations. Records of accidents or incidents and maintenance operations will be kept in such a manner that the City of Seward may review annually the effectiveness, cost and customer acceptance of this policy.

When in doubt, give us a call: For your safety, never attempt to trim any plants or trees that are touching or growing near power lines.

Trees on lines: If a tree or limb is touching a power line, call us so we can evaluate whether it should be removed. If a limb has fallen onto a line, call us to remove it. For safety, do not attempt to remove any trees or tree limbs from power lines yourself.

Safety Note: Always assume downed lines and any nearby objects are energized and dangerous. If you see fallen lines on your property or in roadways, stay away and contact us immediately.