Entergy Louisiana has accelerated its usual tree-trimming across the state due to excessive heat and severe drought conditions. VP of Reliability Steven Benyard says one of the leading causes of power outages is vegetation coming in contact with powerlines.
“The dry vegetation makes for perfect tinder for fire so we’re doing our part in removing and trimming trees to mitigate hazards within our right of way which is right under our powerlines.”
Louisiana faced record-setting heat along with prolonged periods of below-average rainfall. With some portions of the service area falling two feet below their normal rainfall over the past three months, Benyard says they are doing everything they can to avoid damaged vegetation from causing outages for their customers.
“We have a number of vegetation crews and additional crews coming onto our system. And we’re spending additional dollars hot-spotting and trimming circuits that are in those identified drought-prone areas based on our analysis.”
The southern portion of the state is more impacted by the drought than the northern part of the state. Benyard urges customers to report trees that may impact powerlines in their community.
“It may be a tall tree in their yard that if it fell over would go and impact our lines or any other parish-owned trees as well. It has to be a partnership. It’s not just an Entergy thing it’s a community thing.”
To report overgrown trees that are touching powerlines, call 1-800-ENTERGY.
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