At People’s Electric Cooperative (PEC), we take pride in delivering safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to our members. A key part of that commitment is right-of-way (ROW) maintenance, which ensures power lines remain clear of trees and other vegetation that can cause outages.
Why Tree Trimming Matters
Reliability
Trees are 1 of the leading causes of power interruptions. Overgrown limbs can lead to blinking lights, outages, and even downed power lines. In fact, nearly half of all outages are linked to vegetation interference. Scheduled trimming helps prevent these issues and allows us to better prepare for Oklahoma’s severe weather—whether it’s high winds, ice storms, or lightning strikes.
To enhance reliability, PEC has full-time right-of-way contractors who trim trees, remove hazardous vegetation, and apply herbicide seasonally to reduce regrowth. Drone inspections also help us monitor tree growth and identify potential problems before they cause disruptions. 281901001
Safety
Working near power lines is dangerous both for the public and our lineworkers. Trees growing too close to power lines can create a serious hazard, especially if children attempt to climb them. Electricity can arc, or jump, from the power line to a nearby tree, posing a life-threatening risk.
Fallen trees can also make power restoration more dangerous for our crews during severe weather. When a tree limb touches a power line, electricity can travel from the wire through the tree to the ground. Only trained professionals should handle clearing fallen limbs near power lines to avoid serious injury or fatalities.
Affordability
As a not-for-profit cooperative, PEC strives to keep costs down for our members. Proactive vegetation management is far more costeffective than repairing damage after an outage occurs. By trimming trees before they become a problem, we help minimize restoration costs and keep electricity rates stable.
To better manage rapid vegetation growth in our service area, PEC has adopted a ground-to-sky policy. This means we remove all vegetation within the 30-foot-wide easement of our power lines (15 feet on each side). This approach significantly reduces the need for repeat trimming and helps maintain clear, safe rights-of-way.
How You Can Help
You can play a role in keeping our power lines clear and safe:
- Plant wisely – When planting trees, be mindful of their mature height. Medium-height trees (40 feet or smaller) should be at least 25 feet from power lines, while taller trees (over 40 feet) should be at least 50 feet away.
- Keep pad-mounted transformers clear – Maintain at least 10 feet of space in front of the transformer door and 4 feet on the sides to allow access for maintenance.
- Report hazardous trees – If you see a tree growing dangerously close to power lines or at risk of falling, contact PEC’s Vegetation Management Department at (580) 332-3031.
At PEC, we understand the importance of balancing reliability with preserving our beautiful surroundings. Our right-of-way maintenance program helps ensure safe, dependable service while keeping costs low for our members. 431500704