Southern Indiana Power serves members across more than 1,600 miles of line. These lines must be kept clear of trees and vegetation for safety and to ensure reliable service.

Clearing the right-of-way (ROW) is critical for safety and reliability. Power interruptions occur when trees or bushes grow too close to power lines. Occasionally, during major storms, trees will fall into power lines, breaking poles and prolonging outage restoration time.

A ROW refers to a strip of land underneath or around power lines that Southern Indiana Power has the right and responsibility to maintain and clear. Contract crews, such as Hoffman and Townsend, maintain our ROW.

Southern Indiana Power spends approximately $2 million annually to maintain our ROW. Members can help by not planting trees, plants, or bushes under or near the power lines. A general guideline for maintaining a safe ROW is 20 feet on either side of the pole line. If a tree encroaches on this distance, our contract crews will trim back branches and brush using approved methods, utilizing tools such as chainsaws, mowers, bucket trucks, sky trims, and brush chippers.

Herbicides may also be used to restrict the growth of low-growing plants beneath the power lines. The herbicides we use target only broadleaf plants and are approved by the EPA and the Department of Agriculture. The herbicides have a “plant-specific” mode of action, meaning the active ingredient is absorbed through the leaves and transported to the root system. A good portion of the root system is removed, eventually eliminating the repetitive cycle of cutting and regrowth of trees under power lines. Not only is the use of herbicides more effective at maintaining the area, but it’s also a best practice in the electric utility industry, resulting in significant cost savings.

Southern Indiana Power remains committed to providing you with safe, reliable service. Having a ROW maintenance plan allows us the ability to keep lines clear before trees become bigger problems. Having a consistent ROW cycle helps minimize maintenance costs by minimizing the need to react to ROW issues after they have become problems.

We believe trees add beauty to our communities. Please do your part when you landscape around your home by considering the location of the power lines.

Steve Seibert is CEO of Southern Indiana Power.