Tree limbs falling on electric power lines are the #1 cause of power outages

Carroll EMC’s top priority is to provide you with reliable, affordable, uninterrupted electric power. To accomplish this, Member cooperation is needed to help us maintain power line right of ways. Carroll EMC’s extensive right of way maintenance procedures protect power quality and prevent outages by keeping plant growth a reasonable distance from electric lines.

Carroll EMC hires contractors to complete right of way maintenance. Crews work their way through the service territory year-round to cut back overgrown vegetation. Before crews are in your area, you will receive a postcard, email, text message and phone call about the service. Once trimming is complete, clean-up crews will follow 2-3 days after.

Planting A Tree

Help reduce the number of power outages in your neighborhood by planting trees and shrubs so they do not obstruct overhead lines or underground line transformer boxes. At full maturity, plants should be at least 15 feet from overhead lines. Keep shrubs at least 10 feet from the sides and backs of underground transformers; do not plant anything directly in front to allow repair and maintenance crews access to the equipment.

Removing A Tree

Contact Carroll EMC at 770-832-3552 if you (or a contractor) will be removing trees in close proximity to power lines. The cooperative will provide assistance if necessary to prevent damage to power facilities and possible safety hazards associated with tree removal along the power line right-of-way.

Carroll EMC does not trim or remove trees that threaten the service wire that connects directly to a customer’s home. However, the cooperative can disconnect it while tree surgeons remove the tree.