Providing reliable power to you will always be a top priority for Oakdale Electric Cooperative (OEC). These days, power reliability seems to be making news now more than ever.
As the energy industry continues to transition and more segments of the economy are becoming electrified, such as vehicles, machinery, and even lawn equipment, additional pressures are being placed on our nation’s electric grid.
With summer storm season upon us, I thought it would be a good time to tell you about a few measures we’re taking to ensure you continue receiving the reliable power you depend on and deserve.
Let me be the first to say I love trees and the charm they add to our communities, and I know you do too. While trees provide shade and add beauty to our landscape, you may be surprised to learn that overgrown vegetation accounts for about half of all power outages.
That’s why we strive to keep the co-op’s power lines clear in right-of-way (ROW) areas. A ROW area is the land a co-op uses to construct, maintain, replace, or repair underground and overhead power lines. This ROW enables OEC to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder distribution power lines. The overall goal of our vegetation management strategy is to provide reliable power to our members while maintaining the beauty of our area.
Modernizing Vegetation Management
Healthy trees usually do not fall on power lines, and clear lines usually do not cause problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keep lines clear to improve power reliability. However, traditional vegetation management is costly and time consuming. It entails on-the-ground, labor-intensive efforts involving workers assessing vegetation and overseeing the quality and completion of contractor work. Although this approach has worked for decades, advances and improvements in planning and technology have allowed us to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
Planned Outages Improve Reliability
Although it may seem counterintuitive, we also maintain power reliability through planned outages. By carefully cutting power to one part of our area for a short time, OEC can perform system repairs and upgrades, which ultimately improve electric service. Planned outages can also be used to balance energy demand, but only in extremely rare circumstances. Rest assured, we will do our best to notify you in advance of a planned outage, so make sure we have your correct contact information on file to receive the latest emails and/or texts.
Vegetation management is an essential tool in ensuring power reliability and minimizing the risk of outages. As advancements become more accessible and costs drop, we anticipate using additional technologies to ensure a consistent energy supply while managing the environment.
Lastly, I encourage you to follow OEC on social media so you can learn about the latest co-op updates, renewable energy projects, community involvement, and more.