La Plata Electric Association continues tree trimming and removal

Crews target “hazard” trees posing potential impact to electrical equipment

 DURANGO, Colo. – To help ensure safety and reliability of electricity transmission, La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) will be performing regularly scheduled, routine inspections and maintenance on overhead lines in south and west La Plata County during the coming months, as weather permits. The effort includes the safe trimming and removal of trees that pose a hazard to electrical system lines.

LPEA’s crews will be working in residential areas in the western part of La Plata County including Durango West, Rafter J and Shenandoah subdivisions, as well as on Highway 160 from the 17,000 block west to the county line, CR 144 from the 3,000 block south to the 8,000 block, the north end of CR 105 and all of CR 125.

According to LPEA officials, removal of hazardous trees or branches is necessary for public safety, to decrease the potential for power outages and to avoid the possibility of fires caused by limbs or trees falling onto or through power lines.

 “This is part of our on-going effort to keep the system intact and maintain delivery of safe and reliable electricity,” said Steve Gregg, LPEA operations manager. “Remember that many of our winter outages are due to snow loading up on hazardous limbs, so we look to trim as much of our service territory as possible before the snow flies.”

A “hazard” tree is any tree that is dead, damaged, infested with insects, showing evidence that the root system is jeopardized or unstable, and/or one that may be leaning toward power lines and is tall enough to come into contact with LPEA electrical equipment if it were to fall. Trees growing within LPEA’s power line right-of-way may also present a hazard to electrical equipment as they mature.

Felled trees will be limbed and left for property owners’ use or disposal. Trails and roadways will be cleared of debris by LPEA.

LPEA customers with additional questions or concerns are urged to call Roland Pack, 382.7183 or Ben Cordova, 382.3534.

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