Electric Power Line Inspection

PEPCO planners continue to work in various neighborhoods inspecting only overhead power lines for vegetative growth that is encroaching the space near the lines. Maryland Public Service Commission requires specific clearance distance around the power lines based on their voltage. The line clearance requirements were instituted as a mechanism to maintain reliability standards to consumers. The line inspection occurs cyclically on a four to five year schedule to maintain the required clearance distance surrounding the power lines.

One location that has been planned and is in the queue for clearance work to begin is Albion Road. This line is a continuation of a feeder line in University Park. Tree pruning will occur along this street; no trees are scheduled for removal. The planned tree pruning will affect trees on private property; property owners have been contacted about the planned work. Notification letters will be sent to residences along the power line to inform them of the upcoming tree work, whether or not a tree on their property will be impacted by the work.

Due to COVID-19 conditions, the review process has been altered from the previous ride-along process. Only requested or planned tree removals are being reviewed and discussed via an emailed list from the planner and independently conducted inspection by City staff. Specific tree pruning locations have not been identified to the City staff. The PEPCO planners indicated that detailed maps will be shared with the City, which include all planned line clearance work (brush cutting, pruning and removals) prior to work beginning.

Areas that have been planned, or are in the planning stage, are College Park Estates, Yarrow, North College Park, Calvert Hills and Old Town neighborhoods. City staff has reviewed the list of requested tree removals in College Park Estates and Yarrow neighborhoods. Fifteen trees are planned for removal in the College Park Estates and Yarrow neighborhoods, eight are undesirable species growing on the edge of a wooded area, and seven are street trees that are either dead, declining or unable to be pruned to meet the required clearance without impacting the survivability of the tree.

Line clearance planning continues in North College Park; to date, eighteen trees have been identified for removal. Six of the trees are in the State Highway right-of-way along the Route 1 south bound exit ramp to University Boulevard west; the other twelve trees are a combination of City trees and privately owned trees that are either dead, declining or unable to be pruned to meet the required clearance without impacting the survivability of the tree.

Line clearance planning is just beginning in Calvert Hills and Old Town neighborhoods. Residents are encouraged to respond to the PEPCO planners that have left door hangers related to planned private tree work for power line clearance.