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Hydro One conducting tree-trimming in Brockville to improve power reliability

April 18, 2007 — Hydro One has begun an extensive tree trimming program in Brockville to improve reliability of its system.

The project, involving over 30 Forestry staff and several bucket trucks, began in March when technicians began contacting residents about plans to trim trees in the area. The tree trimming began April 2 and is expected to be completed by mid-July. Over 90 kilometres of line will be cleared at a cost of about $450,000. This is the first time Hydro One has undertaken a major tree trimming program in Brockville since it purchased the local utility.

As part of its ongoing right-of-way vegetation management program Hydro One's Forestry Services removes any trees from beneath the line that could potentially grow higher than 15 feet, as well as any incompatible brush. Dead/decayed trees which have the potential to fall onto the live conductors are also removed. Healthy trees along the right-of-way are pruned to provide adequate clearance allowing for 6 - 8 years growth depending on species and growth rates.

In most cases the brush resulting from the forestry operation will be chipped and the wood left for the property owners' use.

"Trees and brush pose a significant threat to power lines so this program should significantly reduce unplanned power outages, improve supply reliability and reduce electrical hazards," explained Hydro One Forestry Manager Steve Dier. "We remove only those branches and hazardous trees that pose a threat to our system, and every effort will be made to leave compatible species."

Dier said Hydro One is investing substantially in a much more robust forestry program. "We're conducting extensive vegetation management programs along our lines throughout the province and spending more than $100 million. Our goal is to get back to a 6 year clearing cycle for all our lines, and customers should see a significant decline in the number and frequency of tree-related outages."

Hydro One owns and operates Ontario's 28,400 kilometre high-voltage transmission network that delivers electricity to large industrial customers and municipal utilities, and a 122,000 kilometre low-voltage distribution system that serves about 1.3 million end-use customers and smaller municipal utilities in the province. Hydro One is wholly owned by the Province of Ontario.

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For more information and to make arrangements for photography, contact Hydro One Media Relations 24 hours a day at 1-877-506-7584 (toll-free in Ontario only) or 416-345-6868. Our website is www.HydroOne.com.