ComEd seeks to resolve issues in Burr Ridge
After several months of discussing our tree trimming plans in Burr Ridge, I would like to clarify ComEd’s goals for conducting vegetation management.
Vegetation management ensures the reliability and safety of electric lines. Tree contact with power lines is a principal because of outages. Additionally, people can be seriously injured, and property damaged, when electricity travels to the ground from branches near or touching power lines.
Safety and reliability require trimming and removal from our rights of way. In Burr Ridge, as elsewhere, we work with our neighbors to replace trees with appropriate species. It does not make sense for certain species of trees to grow near power lines when they naturally grow to heights that encroach on our lines. Instead, we would replace these trees with appropriately planned landscaping.
We are sympathetic to residents’ concerns about our activities and have tried to work with the village officials on a plan that addresses them. At the same time, we ask the village recognize the primary reason ComEd acquired easements was to ensure the safety and reliability of these lines through responsible tree trimming.
Because our vegetation management costs are passed along to all customers in our service territory, we are bound to pursue “least-cost” solutions. If the village desires custom trimming beyond the “least-cost” plan, I will discuss with the mayor, the additional costs will have to be added to the bills of ComEd customers in Burr Ridge.
We will not trim trees after Nov. 15 because we strongly feel appropriate landscaping should follow our vegetation management, and cold weather prevents that. We are confident we will resolve this dispute in the interest of public safety, service reliability and the cooperation between ComEd and the village.
Fidel Marquez, vice president of operations, ComEd
