Trees are a familiar and valued part of life in our community. They offer shade, comfort, and a sense of place in the neighborhoods we serve. At Bartholomew County REMC, we work to protect those surroundings while also making sure the electricity you depend on remains reliable. Finding that balance is where our vegetation management program plays an important role.

Our annual tree trimming cycle has begun for the year in the Ogilville substation area. You may see our contractors, Townsend Tree Service, working there in the coming weeks. This work is planned and intentional, and it’s one of the most effective ways we prevent outages before they happen.

Reliability is one of the biggest reasons we trim trees, and it’s something we watch closely. We don’t just talk about reliability, we measure it. In 2025, our System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) was 67 minutes and our Customer Average Interruption Duration Index (CAIDI) was 93 minutes. That means members experienced just over an hour of total outage time on average for the entire year (SAIDI), and when outages did occur, power was typically restored in about an hour and a half (CAIDI). Results like that come from proactive maintenance, including vegetation management, which helps prevent outages and shortens restoration time when storms hit.

Safety is just as important. Trees growing too close to energized lines can create serious hazards. Electricity can arc from lines to nearby branches, putting families and our lineworkers at risk. Proactive trimming reduces those dangers and helps keep everyone safer during severe weather.

Affordability matters, too. As a cooperative, our goal is dependable electric service at a reasonable cost. Uncontrolled vegetation leads to more outages and more expensive repairs. A structured trimming program helps manage those costs responsibly by being proactive.

Members can help by planting trees a safe distance from overhead lines and keeping shrubs clear of transformers. Always contact 811 before digging near underground utilities. And if you notice a tree or limb that looks like it could threaten a power line, please let us know. We would much rather address a concern early than during an outage.

We take pride in serving a membership that values both reliability and the environment. Thank you for your patience when you see crews working and for helping us keep our system safe and dependable.