Working To Reduce Power Outages

Trees are, by far, the number one cause of power outages and interruptions on the Duck River Electric Membership Corporation electric distribution system. And without a continual program to control unwanted trees, brush and undergrowth in the vicinity of power lines, the number and extent of power outages cannot be reduced. Through a system-wide Integrated Vegetation Management Program, the cooperative is working to cost efficiently control trees and brush that grow into power lines, causing outages and inhibiting continuous access to the rights of way needed for restoration of service after major storms or when other outages occur.

Using traditional mechanical means (mowing, cutting, pruning and trimming) as well as the selective application of low-volume herbicides in each of the cooperative's five districts, an effort is made to completely cover the approximately 6,000 miles of power lines once every four years. By applying herbicides to problem trees, brush and vines, desirable low growing vegetation is allowed to flourish along the rights of way. Numerous studies have conclusively demonstrated that selective use of herbicides promotes biodiversity and improves wildlife habitat.

Southeast Woodland Service, Inc., headquartered in Arkansas, and Progressive Solutions LLC, headquartered in Alabama, have been selected as the herbicide applicators to work in the DREMC service area this year. These firms have many years of herbicide application experience across the United States and hold an active Tennessee herbicide applicator's license: Southeast Woodland Services, #59515, and Progressive Solutions, #1162. DREMC, Southeast Woodland Service and Progressive Solutions will be selectively applying the chemicals Arsenal^R, Glypro^R and Escort^R using low-volume backpack sprayers.

Industry right-of-way management experts have concluded that the combination of mechanical clearing, followed by herbicide application, is the most economical approach to right-of-way vegetation management. This technique is widely used in the industry and is utilized by many area cooperatives and other utilities. The clearing/herbicide technique extends the need to go over the same areas from every one to two years to every three to five years. In addition, once the larger,  high growing woody plants and trees have been removed from an area and herbicides are applied to prevent their re-growth, the habitat for wildlife is greatly enhanced as low-growing, seed-producing plants continue to grow.

The herbicides selected for application in the DREMC area have undergone rigorous examination by the Environmental Protection Agency and have been registered as acceptable for use on rights of way. Arsenal, Glypro, Escort and Garlon^R are names that will be familiar to area farmers as these herbicides are routinely used in fence row and row crop applications to control weeds and brush.

DREMC members interested in finding out specific information about these herbicides may visit the following Internet sites: www.dowagro.com for Garlon 4 and Glypro, www.dupont.com for Escort, and www.vmanswers.com for Arsenal.

DREMC's power line property easements permit the utilization of a variety of right-of-way management methods, including both mechanical and chemical methods. A DREMC representative overseeing the work of Southeast Woodland Services and Progressive Solutions will attempt to make residents, farmers, business owners and others who may be present aware as the vegetation management team moves into an area or onto an individual's property. If you happen to see crews working or identify vehicles from the contractor (Southeast Woodland Services and/or Progressive Solutions) and want additional information about the right-of-way program, feel free to make contact with DREMC's representative, Jim Barnhart, at (931-684-4621, Ext. 5811), your local DREMC district office or the crew foreman working with the specific crew in your area. In addition, if you have specific concerns about herbicides being applied on your property, you may, in advance, contact your local DREMC office. A cooperative or contractor representative will make every effort to discuss the situation with you prior to the crew arriving in your area.

Duck River Electric's goal is to reduce power outages and improve access to electric lines by eliminating the hazards of trees and undergrowth in the most cost-effective manner possible. At the same time, we want to be good stewards of the environment. That is why we have selected qualified, licensed contractors and use environmentally friendly herbicides. Used in conjunction with our mechanical cutting and trimming program, the cooperative anticipates reduced costs and improved service to our members.