When you become a member of Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative, you’re not just signing up for electric service, you’re becoming part of a cooperative built on shared responsibility. One of those shared responsibilities is maintaining safe and reliable power through effective vegetation management.
Trees and power lines don’t mix well. In fact, trees are one of the leading causes of power outages across our region. Whether it’s branches brushing lines during high winds or entire trees coming down during a storm, unmanaged vegetation can quickly interrupt service. That’s why TWEC maintains a proactive and consistent tree trimming policy.
Our policy ensures that primary lines outside of residential yards are maintained with a minimum of 20 feet of horizontal clearance on each side of the pole line from the ground up. For overhead primary lines located in members’ yards, we maintain a minimum of 10 feet of horizontal clearance on each side and 10 feet below the line. Three-phase power lines located in yards require 15 feet from the outside lines and 10 feet below the neutral line.
Beyond the designated right-of-way, we also identify and address “danger trees”. These are trees that are dead, diseased, damaged, or leaning and could contact the line if they fall. Even a single tree outside the immediate corridor can cause outages or blinking lights if it comes down in the wrong direction. If you notice a tree near power lines that appears unsafe or could potentially impact service, please contact TWEC. Our team will evaluate the situation and determine the appropriate next steps. Member awareness is a valuable part of keeping our system safe and reliable.
This ongoing work is part of our vegetation management program, which includes tree pruning, brush removal, mowing, and targeted spraying. Our Arborist, Joe Sworski, coordinates this effort alongside TWEC crews and our vegetation management contractor, Carr’s Tree Service. Portions of our system are rotated each year to ensure we eventually cover our entire service territory over time. By staying on schedule, we reduce outages, improve safety, and protect the long-term reliability of your electric service.
This spring and summer, we are spraying vegetation along circuits served by the Staples, Ward, and Hartford substations. Central Applicators has been contracted to perform this work and will notify affected members by mail regarding the timeline. I encourage you to carefully read the notification letter and contact Central Applicators if you have questions or concerns. Their logo (featured to the right) will appear on the mailing so you can easily identify it.
Vegetation management isn’t always the most visible part of what we do, but it is one of the most important. Reliable service doesn’t happen by accident. It requires planning, consistency, and cooperation.
Thank you for your understanding and partnership as we continue the work of keeping our right-of-way clear and the power flowing safely to your home or business.
Daniel Carlisle
President/CEO & General Counsel
