Utility uses tree trimming costs to justify rate increase

[Eric H-L]

Not sure what forum to put this in.
I find the whole thing fascinating. Our electric company brought the local paper out to observe and photograph a tree crew at work. Then they got a reporter to give their side of the story for why rate hikes are needed due to reasonable increases costs with vegetation management contractors. Also talked to Indiana Arborist Association who discussed climate change as partial reason for increased need for trimming.


I am curious what you think. All I know is that the Wright crews seem like they are working hard when I see them. They have a roughly five year rotation and our trees need it probably more often. I have two mature trees near the lines. I deadwood the sides away from the power lines and let their crew do the side nearer the primary wires. They just came through last winter. The rotation before that my wife observed a funny reaction. I had left a throw line for my access in one of these trees and the tree trimmer was puzzled thinking someone else on his crew had got there before him and started work. They did some calling and checking with supervisors just to clear up what was happening.


I think that our utility (AES)is justified in wanting more money for tree work but I wonder if they are cooking the books and trying to hide other reasons for the rate increase. For example: the new data centers that use so much electricity and also the ridiculous cost overruns in the big coal-gasification plant in Edwardsport Indiana.

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/environment/2025/09/17/tree-trimming-aes-rate-hikes-electricity/86182484007/#:~:text=The%20AES%20Indiana%20request%20to,groups%20and%20the%20utility's%20customers.

 

[Nutball]

Would they ever lower the rate if a bunch of trees got removed? That would be a test of their good will.

 

[Burnham]

Ever since the Paradise Fire in CA, our power co. has been getting ever more aggressive in their line clearance practices. We now see them at LEAST once a year on our roadside lines, and sometimes twice. Driven by liability fears of being held accountable for fire starts.

 

[Kaveman]

Around here, seems like PG&E can't decide which company it likes best and uses most of them. They also seem to all be stroking the pooch. Some trees get hacked on almost bi-monthly, while some areas get none of the needed attention. Crews out on the roadside everywhere, yet I rarely see them actually DO anything.

As far as rates, well PG&E charges more than anyone in the country and the only reasons why are corruption and greed. What adds insult to that injury is the fact that most of the electricity generated and distributed by PG&E comes from hydroelectric dams. Thus, in California, even gravity is more expensive.

 

[SkwerI]

Any time a spokesman uses 'climate change' as justification for anything, I know they are lying.

 

[treesmith]

Line clearance has taken a nose-dive in the last 30 years, at least in my area. Back when I was with Asplundh, when we got done, it looked like you could land a small plane in the ROW, if not for the poles and lines. Now, they get what they can reach with the Jaraff and let the rest go until ice or wind bring it down. Just a few weeks ago, I took down a water oak for the mother of a classmate from high school. There was a huge water oak out near the road in front of her house that was half dead and she was concerned about it as well. I have a cousin who’s in the tree division of Alabama Power, so I called him to see if they could at least trim the dead overhanging limbs off of it so I could get the rest down. It was in a “corner” of primary, over both the main line and the tap going to her house. I could have dealt with it, but figured it was worth a shot. He called back a couple of weeks later and said they’d take off the overhanging limbs. They sent a bucket crew out to deal with it. Three days later…yes…THREE DAYS LATER…they were done. I could have done it in one day, with my one groundie. It’s pathetic.

Having said all that, it would not surprise me at all if line clearance has become a huge financial hurdle for them. They have the same issue many other industries do: too many chiefs/not enough Indians.