Trees and shrubs that grow into power lines can not only cause outages and delay the restoration of power, they are also dangerous because they can become energized when in contact with power lines.
If plants must be placed in the right-of-way, they should be a low-growing variety (species that grow no taller than 20 feet at maturity) and should be planted at the edge of the right-of-way and not directly under the wires or on berms.
Union Power will prune trees and remove inappropriate tree/brush species on an as-needed basis that are within the right-of-way area based on Cooperative specifications for proper, safe clearance.
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For information on the appropriate trees that can be planted near power lines, call Union Power at (704) 289-3145.
Underground Padmount Transformer Q&A
Maybe. Contact NC 811 to request a locate of any underground utilities in the area near the plant to dig up. If underground utilities are near the site, you must abide by NC811 rules regarding digging. Also contact our Manager of Vegetation Management, Wil Ortiz at 704-289-3145 if you are pursuing digging up of plants near the transformer.
Depends on the size of the material cut. Vegetation over 5 inches in diameter is normally left at the site. Vegetation that is less than 5 inches in diameter is run through the chipper and removed off-site.
Normally within a week or two after vegetation has been cleared around the unit.
Not during the clearing work, but potentially yes when our vendor works in the unit. Our vendor will communicate with you when he needs to turn off the power, and for roughly how long.
Normally within a week from informing the Member.