DTE Energy announces tree trimming schedule
Line clearance program improves electric service reliability
DETROIT, May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- To improve electrical service reliability and safety for customers, DTE Energy tree trimming crews will be working in several local communities over the next two months.
During severe weather, fallen limbs and tree branches create about two-thirds of power outages.
"By trimming to a 10-foot distance between tree branches and our power lines, we can significantly reduce tree-related power outages," said Vince Dow, DTE Energy vice president of Distribution Engineering and Construction.
For the past 15 years, the company has received the National Tree Line USA Award for quality tree care. Tree trim crews follow International Society of Arboriculture standards to maintain the health of trees.
"Our goal is to keep customers' trees alive, healthy and out of harm's way," explained Dow. "The pruning method we use removes only the branches located too close 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.
Once the tree trim work is completed, DTE Energy removes small branches and debris from customer properties. Larger trimmed branches are cut to firewood length and left behind for customer use of disposal. DTE Energy will not remove diseased tree debris.
Like most other utilities nationwide, DTE Energy also does not remove debris caused by severe storms.
"When severe weather hits, our first priority is working quickly to remove downed wire hazards and restore power to customers," Dow said.
In these emergency situations, crews will cut broken and uproot trees in order to reach locations that need repair. Customers are advised to contact their trash collectors or a professional tree removal company for advice on disposing of debris.
Customers are responsible for keeping tree branches away from their service drops, which are the lines that run from utility poles to their home. Although the voltage running through the service drop is much lower than pole-to-pole wires, DTE Energy recommends hiring a professional tree service to complete this trimming. Visit dteenergy.com/treetrim to find more information about line clearance and proper tree planting.
County |
Ma |
Huron County |
Bingham Township Brookfield Township Chandler Township Grant Township Huron Township McKinley Township Oliver Township Paris Township Sheridan Township Village of Pigeon Village of Ubly Wisner Township |
Ingham County |
Locke Township Williamston Williamston Township |
Lapeer County |
Almont Township Hadley Township Metamora Township |
Macomb County |
Armada Township Centerline Chesterfield Township Clinton Township Lenox Township Ray Township Roseville Shelby Township St. Clair Shores Sterling Heights Warren |
Monroe County |
Monroe Newport |
Oakland County |
Bloomfield Township Milford Township South Lyon Township White Lake |
Sanilac County |
Argyle Township Evergreen Township Lamotte Township Moore Township Village of Argyle Worth Township |
St. Clair County |
Brockway Township Emmitt Township Lynn Township Mussey Township |
Tuscola County |
Denmark Township Elkland Township Elmwood Township Tuscola Township Village of Richville |
Washtenaw |
Milan Salem Township Whitmore Lake |
Wayne County |
Belleville Dearborn Dearborn Heights Detroit Grosse Pointe Shores Livonia Redford Township Southfield Sumpter Township Westland |
Circuit Improvement Map: http://www.dteenergy.com/residentialCustomers/problemsSafety/treeTrim/improvementMap.html
System Improvements (Address Search): http://www.dteenergy.com/map/systemImprovements.html
DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan and a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan. The DTE Energy portfolio also includes non-utility energy businesses focused on power and industrial projects and energy trading. Information about DTE Energy is available at dteenergy.com, twitter.com/dte_energy and facebook.com/dteenergy.
SOURCE DTE Energy
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