SUMMARY OF POINTS IN SUPPORT OF GCNH POSITIONS 1 AND 2:
(Substitute Public Act 14-151 for Section 60 of Public Act 13-298 in fourth paragraph below. Both statutes amended Section 16-234, C.G.S. governing utility tree pruning and removal)
(Substitute Public Act 14-151 for Section 60 of Public Act 13-298 in fourth paragraph below. Both statutes amended Section 16-234, C.G.S. governing utility tree pruning and removal)
Non-hazardous tall and tall growing trees do NOT need to be removed to prevent major power outages. Based on consultant reports, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) estimated that 78% of the power outages caused by trees during the 2011 major storms were caused by trees outside of the area near or under electric distribution wires (the "normal trim zone"). Anecdotal evidence indicates that 50 to 70% and sometimes 90% of the trees may fall from outside the wire area, depending on the storm and location. To prevent major power outages, the utilities should remove hazardous trees and branches both within and outside the Utility Protection Zone. Tall and tall growing healthy trees should be retained and pruned in accordance with professional pruning standards to co-exist with utility infrastructure.
As now healthy tall and tall growing trees decline and have to be removed, the State Vegetation Management Task Force recommends replacement with "right tree/right place" trees and shrubs. See List of Right Tree/ Right Place Trees and Shrubs from the Task Force Report (See pages 37-44 for complete discussion of the concept with the list.)
PDF of Slide Show Presentation on Right Tree/Right Place
Planting the right tree is more than just ensuring that a tree will not grow into electric utility wires (the lower communications wires are less affected by trees). The article, "Think About Your Urban Trees Before Planting Them . . ." (Next City, December 6, 2013), discusses how trees can be planted to maximize their benefits. It also discusses the impact on carbon emissions of different methods of disposing of trees after they have been cut down.
PDF of Slide Show Presentation on Right Tree/Right Place
Planting the right tree is more than just ensuring that a tree will not grow into electric utility wires (the lower communications wires are less affected by trees). The article, "Think About Your Urban Trees Before Planting Them . . ." (Next City, December 6, 2013), discusses how trees can be planted to maximize their benefits. It also discusses the impact on carbon emissions of different methods of disposing of trees after they have been cut down.