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WORKSHOP ITEM #15Vegetation Management ProgramVegetation Management Program July 18, 2018
Vegetation Management Program included with staff reportProgram document •serviceeffective electric -District's goal of delivering safe, reliable and costis an important part of the
Program Vegetation Management The •facilities to maintain135 miles of overhead •Clear vegetation from all overhead electric facilities on a 5 year cycle•The District performs vegetation
management operations annually•facilitiesthreaten the safety and integrity of electric District has a responsibility to maintain vegetation so as not to he T•BACKGROUND / HISTORY Vegetation
Management Program
Vegetation Management Program“Trimmed clearance”•“Minimum clearance” •managementclearance requirements for vegetation specifies document California Public Utility Commission’s General
Order No. 95 (G.O. 95) •Aesthetics•contactsPrevention •brushof fire risks due to tree contacts or electrical sparks igniting Reduction •publicthe safety of District linemen and the
general Ensuring •includegoals of the Program The •BACKGROUND / HISTORY Vegetation Management Program
Vegetation Management Program requirement of 4 feet, not 18 inches per G.O. 95has used the PRC Section 4293 minimum clearance The District •clearance4 foot minimum •Code (PRC) Section
4293A more stringent standard is found in California Public Resources •margin for safetyon providing a minimum electrical clearance Based •)18 inches (Table 1, Case 13E•beenconductors
and vegetation has G.O. 95 minimum clearance requirement between primary electric The •BACKGROUND / HISTORY Vegetation Management Program
Vegetation Management Program Intent is to mitigate fire risk due to tree contacts or sparks•transformersthe base of poles which support switches, fuses or In addition, PRC Section 4292
requires a clearing of 10 feet around •clearancethan a 4 foot Helps to ensure that by the next trimming cycle, there will be no less •feetDistrict increased this requirement to 7 •)6.5
feet (G.O. 95 Appendix E•beenhas at time of trimmingThe G.O. 95 minimum clearance requirement •growingclearance requirement because trees are constantly in excess of the 4 foot minimum
is required to trim District The •BACKGROUND / HISTORY Vegetation Management Program
Vegetation Management Program requirementsCalifornia and Federal OSHA must be qualified line clearance personnel meeting Employees •ArboricultureSociety of with the International Arborist
supervisor must be a certified Field •contractorhas very strict requirements for selecting a tree District The •cyclesoperations to ensure trim to manage tree trimmings Staff uses GIS
•annuallycontractors District engages the services of licensed tree trimming The •BACKGROUND / HISTORY Vegetation Management Program
Vegetation Management Program Budget has increased over time•390,000operations is $FY18 budget for tree trimming and pole clearing District’s The •subdivisiontrimming operations for
2018 have focused on the Tahoe Donner Tree •BACKGROUND / HISTORY Vegetation Management Program
Vegetation Management Program$567,0002017$260,0002016$247,2002015$250,0002014$263,6802013$256,0002012$254,3752011$250,0002010 and PriorAmount Year The authorized amount for prior years•BACKGROUND
/ HISTORY Vegetation Management Program
NEW INFORMATION 4293in PRC Section requirement of 4 feet found This matches the •4 feet (formerly 18 inches)•iselectric conductors and vegetation . 95 minimum clearance requirement between
primary new G.OThe •trimmingclearances requirements resulting in significantly more tree Larger •2017. 95 clearance requirements were significantly revised in December, G.O•yearsin
recent response to wildfires that have devastated large portions of the State changes in State regulations have been enacted in Important •Vegetation Management ProgramVegetation Management
Program
NEW INFORMATION requirementsservice representatives were informed of the new ustomer C•all customers bill stuffer’ for ‘also prepared an informational Staff •TDA’s newsletterStaff prepared
an informational article published in •)with the Tahoe Donner Association (TDAanticipation of increased public concerns, staff has worked closely In •customersvisual impact to Increased
•yearscleared area compared to previous reater G•trimming to 12 feet in 2018trimming contractor is Tree •)12 feet (formerly 6.5 feet•istrimmingat time of vegetation electric conductors
and The new G.O. 95 minimum clearance requirement between primary •Vegetation Management ProgramVegetation Management Program
NEW INFORMATION against fires and power outagesGuard •tree trimming and maintenance operations safelyPerform •purposesproperty owner or customer during normal business hours for safety
at no charge to the service drop energize the -District will deThe •number, and District contact numbersname, address, contact name, phone Information including contractor •customers
a minimum of 24 hours prior to the work“door hangers” or using other communications to notify lacing P•customers of impending work. This notification includesThe District’s tree contractor
notifies all property owners or •Vegetation Management ProgramVegetation Management Program
NEW INFORMATION further consideration by the Board at the August 1, 2018 meetingStaff proposes to bring an increase to the tree trimming budget for •YTD expenditure of more than 80%
of budget•budgetand Program the new requirements and potential impacts to the valuating E•Programthe Vegetation Management District continues to invest in system reliability and safety
with The •Vegetation Management ProgramVegetation Management Program
FISCAL IMPACT eventually be accounted for in rateshowever, there is an unfunded increase by State mandate that will Item, is no fiscal impact associated with this Workshop There •Vegetation
Management ProgramVegetation Management Program
RECOMMENDATION Provide input to staff•Vegetation Management ProgramVegetation Management Program