CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – February 25, 2013 – The Alliant Energy Tree Trimming Team is constantly working to keep trees away from power lines, and this month the team is working in Cedar Rapids. During storms or high winds, trees often contact power lines and cause an outage. Our crews are trained to work near power lines and encourage growth positive tree growth, away from power lines.
Trimming work will take place along 1st ave SE and NE, from the 3300 block to the 4300 block. This will include side streets in the area. Crews focus on specific trees that are interfering with power lines, or will soon grow into power lines without proper maintenance. Alliant Energy does not perform heavy tree trimming near secondary wire or service wire. Secondary wire commonly runs underneath a transformer or appears tightly twisted. Service wire runs from the pole directly to a home.
“The work we do to trim trees helps maintain our safe and reliable electric service,” said Dan Green, manager of line clearance for Alliant Energy. “If a customer wants to trim the trees around the secondary, or service wire running to their home, we’re happy to take down the line to make it safe for them to do the trimming themselves.
To allow safe trimming of these lines by the property owner, Alliant Energy will disconnect the wires free of charge. Advance notice of 72 hours or more is needed for disconnection.
Affected customers will be notified. Alliant Energy crews use current practices endorsed by the American National Standards Institute and the International Society of Arboriculture to protect power lines and preserve the health of trees.
- Tree trimmers plan for weather conditions and consider how winds could cause the tree to make contact with the wires. Crews also consider if movement in the wires, such as sagging due to high temperatures or the weight of ice, could cause the wires to contact a tree.
- Crews consider the impact trimming will have on the overall health and stability of the tree.
Alliant Energy expects to trim trees every 3 to 4 years, and property owners can expect:
- Crews to chip and haul away brush and small branches
- Removal of dead trees, dying trees, trees with badly split trunk or limb, trees that lean dangerously close to wires, trees that are fast-growing, trees that are weak-wooded
- To be contacted in person from Alliant Energy if a tree must be removed
Tree trimming is unlikely to cause interruptions in electric service. Customers with questions or concerns can contact Alliant Energy at 1-800-ALLIANT, visit alliantenergy.com/treetrimming, or e-mail questions to customercare@alliantenergy.com.
Alliant Energy crews will remove debris caused by routine trimming. Alliant Energy crews do not remove debris caused by storm restoration work.
Media Contact: Justin Foss, (319) 786-4788