RG&E Completes Essential Tree Trimming in Henrietta Neighborhoods

Utility nears 1,100 miles of distribution lines trimmed this year

BINGHAMTON, NY — September 9, 2020, 12 p.m. EST  — RG&E, subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc., announced today it recently completed maintenance tree trimming work in the town of Henrietta to protect its systems and reduce the impact of severe weather. Each year, the company trims approximately 1,100 miles of distribution lines. Its recent tree trimming efforts stretched throughout Henrietta, including the neighborhoods near Winton, Pinnacle, Calkins, Lehigh Station, East Henrietta, Hollybrook and Farnsworth Roads. 

“With the number of high wind storms more recently, it is comforting to know RG&E is getting out ahead of the potential tree falls to minimize the potential for power interruptions,” said Stephen L. Schultz, Henrietta Town Supervisor. “We have also received positive comments regarding their safe use of flaggers and traffic control to ensure motorists are kept safe during the trimming process.”

RG&E’s vegetation management program maintains a five-year trim cycle, pruning or removing trees and vegetation that could come into contact with its power lines. Additionally, the company prioritizes addressing worst performing circuits, which deliver power to customers’ homes and businesses, and circuits that greatly impact reliability. The company’s recent work in Henrietta focused on roadside and backyard maintenance tree trimming, with the majority of work taking place in backyards.
 
“Trees, branches and foliage are a leading cause of power interruptions,” said Kevin Fagan, Lead Analyst, Vegetation Management at RG&E. “When damaged or broken during storms, this vegetation can take down power lines or poles and cause outages. For this reason, RG&E invests significant resources to proactively conduct tree trimming throughout our service area.”

“We’re grateful to our customers for their patience as we addressed circuits in their lots,” Fagan added. “This is challenging and time-consuming work that requires skilled tree climbing professionals to use and rig ropes to safely remove limbs. The result will be improved reliability for our customers.” 
In addition to routine maintenance tree trimming, RG&E crews patrol the region for hazard trees to evaluate and pursue full tree removals. For more information on the company’s full vegetation management program, visit rge.com .

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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) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $35 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com. 


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