RG&E Utilizes Rescue Goats for Vegetation Management

RG&E partners with Kaizen Ridge Farm to graze 22 goats under transmission lines 

Efforts will help deliver safe and reliable energy to customers 

View images and video of the goats here 

 

ROCHESTER, NY — August 21, 2024 — Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) is working with Kaizen Ridge Farm to have rescue goats graze under its transmission lines. Goat grazing is an effective vegetation management method that limits weeds and vegetation while replacing the use of gas-powered machines for this vital maintenance necessity.  

 

“Overgrown trees and brush lead to power outages, especially during storms,” said Erin Perry, manager of Vegetation Management for RG&E and NYSEG. “When lead utility arborist, Matthew Steiner, presented this initiative I knew it was worth pursuing. Using goats to clear vegetation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to ensure customers receive safe and reliable service.”

 

When service is interrupted, it’s most often due to trees or brush contacting power lines. To minimize this, RG&E regularly prunes and removes vegetation in transmission line rights of ways. The goats will further improve these efforts by clearing vegetation in remote locations that are difficult for crews to access. 

 

Kaizen Ridge Farm breeds and rescues goats, sheep, and chickens in Victor, NY. The goats grazing at RG&E sites were rescued. Kaizen Ridge Farm is working with RG&E to provide these goats with a second chance and a new role in the community.  

 

“We’re proud to collaborate with RG&E in our mission to rescue goats,” said Allison Sherman from Kaizen Ridge Farm.  “We have a mutually beneficial relationship that has allowed us to rescue over 25 goats and create a sustainable, eco-friendly solution for RG&E to maintain the vegetation in their rights of ways, benefiting the community and environment.”  

 

RG&E and Kaizen Ridge Farm will continue to utilize goats for rotational grazing and are planning to bring goats to future RG&E events for the public to interact with, allowing them to learn more about the project.  

 

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About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit www.rge.com. 

 

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $46 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens – in 2024 for the fourth consecutive year. In 2024, Avangrid ranked first among utilities and 12 overall. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2024 for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.  

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Media Contact: 

Alexis Arnold 

alexis.arnold@avangrid.com 

585-953-3159 

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