Who's Responsible for Trimming Trees Near the Powerline on Your Property?

What California property owners need to know...

You too can prevent FOREST FIRES: The CPUC determines (click) exactly how much needs to be clear and where, but generally speaking, you should keep these lines free of hazards and trees.

Your responsibility includes the line that connects from the utility pole to your home (the service wire or service drop) as well as communication lines (which provide phone or cable service.) PG&E Spokesperson Deanna Contreras noted the communication lines are typically the thickest and lowest lines on a utility pole.

PG&E and CAL FIRE both say it is not a good idea for you to prune branches or remove trees from these lines yourself. Instead, get a qualified tree professional to help.

You can also proactively prevent fire risk: don’t plant trees near your power line.

In areas deemed to have high fire threat (CPUC’s Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas; like ours) and in areas of state responsibility, PG&E must keep at least four feet of clear space from these lines.

PG&E says it checks all its distribution lines each year. But if you see a problem at any time, call PG&E. The company says it will send someone out to check your power lines. If there is an issue, PG&E says crews will remove or prune trees at no cost to you.

Not sure which line is which? PG&E can check that too.

READ MORE ABOUT IT HERE: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/investigations/consumer/whos-responsible-for-trimming-trees-near-the-powerline-on-your-property/2609190/