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New Legislation Eases Drone Flying Restrictions


When it comes to providing our members with safe, reliable and affordable electric service, anything that helps us get the job done more easily and efficiently is welcome news. Northfork Electric has re- ceived just such news from Wash- ington, D.C., in the form of a new law governing the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or “drones,” by electric co-ops and other opera- tors of critical infrastructure. Under the law, signed by President Obama, electric co-ops and other utilities will be able to use drones to more safely and efficiently respond to natural di- sasters and conduct routine mainte- nance—with fewer restrictions than in the past.


Drone use is so significant an is- sue for many co-ops that it has been a major priority for the National Ru- ral Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), the service organization that represents the interests in Wash- ington of the nation’s more than 900 electric co-ops. NRECA said the new law “will enable electric cooperatives to reduce risk for their employees, shorten outage times and save money for their member-own- ers.” A win-win for everyone. Specifically, the law for the first


time allows co-ops to fly drones beyond the line of sight and during nighttime hours to conduct utility activities that meet federal, state or local regulations and industry best practices, such as utility right-of-way inspections. Surveillance by drones equipped with cameras can speed safe recovery of power following severe weather by showing where, and to what extent, transmission lines are damaged. Drones also can


be handy tools in vegetation man- agement and routine inspections of critical equipment. Until now, electric co-ops were limited to using drones during day- time hours and within a direct line of sight. Un- til recently, drone operators also were required to have a com- mercial pilot’s license, but that constraint was removed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in June. Operators now


can obtain a license by passing a test at facilities approved by the FAA. The changes to drone use requirements have the potential to make a big difference in reliabil-


ity and safety efforts. Fortunately, Congress and the president listened to electric co-ops’ concerns and removed some major obstacles to expand commercial drone use. Now,


electric co-ops across the country can take advantage of this cutting edge technology if they find it will reap benefits for themselves and their members.


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