Reliability Badge

Jun 24, 2021 | Reliability | 18 comments

Keeping Lines Clear, Reducing Outages

Our proactive approach

Trees are the number one cause of storm-related outages. That’s why we take a proactive approach to keeping lines clear.

Thanks to the combined efforts of our vegetation management program, in 2020, we reduced tree-related outages by 14 percent over the prior year.

Here’s how we do it:

Routine trimming

We trim trees across 33,000 miles of overhead power lines to reduce the risk of outages. We have an established time- and- condition based maintenance program to make sure we’re trimming trees at the right times. We also use data analytics and innovative technology to identify the areas with a higher probability of tree-caused outages.

Don’t attempt to trim or remove trees near our lines on your own. Our qualified line clearance tree trimmers have specialized training to work around our power lines. If you want to remove a tree growing within 10 feet of a power line, call us first.

Goodbye hazard trees

Imagine how difficult and dangerous it is when a large tree brings down power lines in a storm. Assessing the damage, clearing the area for safe repairs, and restoring power to those impacted by a downed line can take hours.

That’s why we proactively remove hazard trees that pose a threat of falling and damaging our lines with permission from the property owner. The removal of these trees in advance of a storm prevents significant damage, removes a safety risk for the public and our employees, and reduces the likelihood of power outages.

In addition to tree trimming, we install animal guards, inspect and maintain our lines and equipment, and continue to improve our smart grid technology to provide you with reliable service all throughout the year.

 

18 Comments

  1. eses

    I have two trees tangled in distribution cables as of 5 April 21 which we are planning to cut down completely.
    How do we contact PPL “make safe” crew to clear the cables?
    Wm. Stallings
    5033 Upper vy red
    Atglen, pa 19310
    302-333-9394

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Afternoon, Please call our Service Team at 1-800-342-5775 (and say Service Department) to coordinate a date or time frame you will be cutting the trees around the lines. We provide a temporary disconnect of service so you this can be completed safely. Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Vera Deacon

    I recently had trees trimmed by Asplundh in our driveway. The two men left empty water bottles on our driveway. They also had our driveway blocked for over 2 hours. Only to have another neighbor see them laying in the back of the large truck (where the chips go). I also observed them while walking on a nearby road throwing empty water bottles onto the road. Very poor observed practices..I already contacted the company but have yet to have a follow-up.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Afternoon Vera, We are sorry to hear about your experience with Asplundh who is one of the many subcontractors that trim trees for PPL. If you would like, we can also send a message to Asplundh on your behalf if you call us weekdays between 8am-5pm at 1-800-342-5775 (say Service Department.) Thank you!

      Reply
  3. Mitchell B Gluntz

    Last summer I contacted PP&l to have a dead tree cut down that is within 10 feet of the powerlines. I spoke to a gentleman named Eric. He said he would do a drive by and get back to me which he did a few days later. He told me that they will cut the tree down but could not give me a time line. Very nice guy. It’s about 7 months later and the tree has not been cut down. I called the number that I spoke to Eric with but that number is now out of service.
    What number should I call for tree removal> I would like a direct number so I don’t have to go thru a computerized menu please.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Morning Mitchell, Please contact our Job Service Team weekdays 8am-5pm directly at 1-877-220-6016. The Representative will reach out to the Forester with the information you provide. Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Diya

    If tree branches surround the service wires which runs between the pole and your home, do you also remove them as well?

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Morning Diya, We trim or remove trees interfering with our wires from pole to pole, not pole to home. We offer a temporary disconnect of service if you hire a tree trimmer to complete this work. You would contact us weekdays 8am-5pmm to schedule at 1-800-342-5775 (say Temporary disconnect during prompts). Thank you!

      Reply
  5. Brittany

    Hello, I live in Tannersville, PA. I have a large tree on my property a few feet from main power lines. I see there are trees being cut in my neighborhood by a company working for PPL. I wanted to see if our tree could be removed as well.

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Afternoon Brittany, Please call our Service Team weekdays 8am-5pm with your tree trim request at 1-800-342-5775 (say tree trimming). The Representative will take your information to issue a report and assign the correct crew to investigate. We trim or remove trees interfering with our wires from pole to pole, not pole to home. Thank you!

      Reply
  6. Mark M. Marek

    I had 5 power outages @ my house since June 12, 2022. Outages occurred on 6/12, 8/23, 9/7, 10/27, 11/20. 3 of those 5 outages affected 47 customers in my neighborhood. Cause listed on your outage map was tripped breaker or fuse. 3 outages with the same number of customers & same issue sounds like there is a problem PPL is not addressing. The most recent outage lasted over 5.5 hours on the coldest day of the season. Not good when you rely on electric heat. I was advised I must reach out to PPL before I can file a formal or informal complaint with the Public Utility Commission. Looking forward to your e-mail response.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Afternoon Mark, We understand your frustration when you are without power. Please call us to complete a report at 1-800-342-5775 (available 24/7) say “Service Interruption” during the prompts. The Representative will take the proper information including the previous dates when outages occurred to issue an Investigation to ultimately resolve this issue. An alternative phone number to speak to a Representative on our Service Team is 1-877-220-6016 (available weekdays 8am-5pm.) Thanks!

      Reply
  7. Sheila

    Good Afternoon my names Sheila, White Haven PA My cousin has hired help to remove and cleanup a tree which is about 12 feet from the main power supply that runs along the road to each of the house lines the arborist has already safely Removedand lowered a lot of the limbs which were growing in the direction of the home but their are some large parts of the tree which directly overhang the main power line and if they do not directly overhang the line they are definitely wishing 10 feet of the line from the information I have collected you would not come remove the whole tree but would be happy to have someone come out and cut and lower the dangerous limbs while you cut the power to the lines I would like to schedule someone to come out and do this for us and once the limbs are on the ground I could have the hired tree service continue to log and remove the debris that your guys cut down n lower from above the lines how do I go about doing this and what’s the usual wait time to have someone out to take care of it

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Afternoon Sheila, Please contact our Job Service Team weekdays 8am-5pm at 1-877-220-6016 with your request for a temporary disconnect of service. We need 5 to 7 work days notice. Safety is always a priority with us. Thank you for checking with us!

      Reply
  8. Walter kalinoski

    I had my tree trimmed by Asplundh in April, 2023, I just recently noticed that there are still some branches touching and very close to the pole to pole line. Could you have Asplundh and remove the remaining branches.Thanks. My Address is 9 East ave. Mount Carmel,pa 17851

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Morning Walter, Please call our Service Team weekdays 8am-5pm to complete a report at 1-800-342-5775 (say tree trimming during the prompts). The Representative will take your information to send to our Forester. An alternative phone number to call is our Service Team at 1-877-220-6016. Thank you!

      Reply
  9. Walter kalinoski

    I had my tree trimmed by Asplundh in April,2023. I just happened to notice there are still some branches touching the pole to pole lines. Could you have Asplundh come back and finish the job. Thanks. My address is 9 East Ave, Mount Carmel PA 17851.

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      Good Morning Walter, Please call our Service Team weekdays 8am-5pm to complete with your request at 1-800-342-5775 (say tree trimming during the prompts). The Representative will take your information to issue a report to send to our Forester. An alternative phone number to call is our Service Team at 1-877-220-6016. Thank you!

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Categories

Archives