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MAX A. MEEK, CEO AND GENERAL MANAGER F


Spring Cleaning Between the Lines Spring gives us a chance to thaw out after a


chilly winter, to take advantage of longer daylight hours by doing a little spring cleaning and yard work. But the seasonal shift isn’t all good news. T e rapid change from harsh, cold air to warmer temperatures can trigger severe weather. To protect our lines and keep power fl owing safely to your home, Oklahoma Electric Cooperative maintains our rights-of-way with a robust vegetation management program. T ink of it as spring cleaning for power lines. Vegetation management keeps tree limbs and


other obstacles away from high-voltage power lines. It’s an important part of the service we provide to


you for three reasons: safety, reliability, and cost. Safety. Our primary concern is the safety of


our workers and members. A properly maintained right-of-way (ROW) keeps our crews safe when they are restoring service and maintaining the system. Keeping trees clear of power lines also keeps your family safe—from making sure a child’s tree house doesn’t come too close to the lines to creating a safe environment while doing yard work. Power lines are such a constant part of our


landscape it’s easy to forget they are there. We work hard to keep the area around our lines clear, but we need your help. Be alert this spring. Don’t plant trees or tall vegetation under power lines, and look up when carrying ladders or long tools around the yard. If you see a limb growing too close to a power line, please don't try to prune it yourself. Call our offi ce (405-321-2024) or use our online form to schedule an appointment with a certifi ed arborist (http://bit.ly/OEC-tree-work).


rom the top


Reliability. When severe spring weather blows


through, a well-maintained ROW leads to fewer outages and faster response time. When trees do fall, crews are able to restore service more quickly


than they could with poorly maintained areas. Cost. As a not-for-profi t company, OEC


strives to keep costs aff ordable for you, our members. Vegetation management is an important part of controlling costs. Fewer and shorter outages save money for everyone. When crews work in well-maintained areas, it reduces risks for employees and equipment too—another way to keep costs low.


Safety, reliability, and cost: this is why we


believe in vegetation management spring cleaning, but we also believe in the benefi ts of a mature tree canopy. We do not just chop and go. Our vegetation management program is just that—management. We recognize trees serve an important function in energy conservation, and we strive to manage tree growth to preserve trees a healthy distance from the power lines. T is month marks our 8th year as a Tree Line USA designated utility as named by the Arbor Day Foundation. T e designation recognizes utilities that exercise best practices in utility arboriculture showing how trees and utilities can coexist for everyone's benefi t. I, for one, am ready to get out of the house and


enjoy the spring weather. I foresee a fi shing trip in my near future. You better believe I'll be looking up for power lines before casting my rod.


News Magazine 3


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