Original Version
Rule 35
35 Tree Trimming
Where overhead wires pass through trees, safety and reliability of service demand that a reasonable amount of tree trimming be done in order that the wires may clear branches and foliage. The minimum clearances established in Table 1, Case 13, measured between line conductors and vegetation under normal conditions, shall be maintained. (Also see Appendix E for tree trimming guidelines).
When a utility has actual knowledge, obtained either through normal operating practices or notification to the utility, dead, rotten and diseased trees or portions thereof, that overhang or lean toward and may fall into a span, should be removed.
Communication and electric supply circuits, energized at 750 volts or less, including their service drops, should be kept clear of limbs and foliage, in new construction and when circuits are reconstructed or repaired, whenever practicable. When a utility has actual knowledge, obtained either through normal operating practices or notification to the utility, that any circuit energized at 750 volts or less shows strain or evidences abrasion from tree contact, the condition shall be corrected by slacking or rearranging the line, trimming the tree or placing mechanical protection on the conductor(s). For the purpose of this rule, abrasion is defined as damage to the insulation resulting from the friction between the tree and conductor. Scuffing or polishing of the insulating covering is not considered abrasion. Strain on a conductor is present when there is additional tension causing a deflection of the conductor beyond the slack of the span. Contact between limbs and these conductors, in and of itself, does not constitute a violation of the rule.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Rule 35 requirements do not apply to conductors, or aerial cable that complies with Rule 57.4-C, energized at less than 60,000 volts, where trimming or removal is not practicable and the conductor is separated from the tree with suitable materials or devices to avoid conductor damage by abrasion and grounding of the circuit through the tree.
(2) Rule 35 requirements do not apply where the utility has made a "good faith" effort to obtain permission to trim or remove vegetation but permission was refused or unobtainable. A "good faith" effort shall consist of current documentation of a minimum of an attempted personal contact and a written communication, including documentation of mailing or delivery. However, this does not preclude other action or actions from demonstrating "good faith". If permission to trim or remove vegetation is unobtainable and requirements of exception 2 are met, the utility is not compelled to comply with the requirements of exception 1.
(3) The Commission recognizes that unusual circumstances beyond the control of the utility may result in non-conformance with the rules. In such cases, the utility may be directed by the Commission to take prompt remedial action to come into conformance, whether or not the nonconformance gives rises to penalties or is alleged to fall within permitted exceptions or phase-in requirements.
(4) Mature trees whose trunks and major limbs are located more than six inches, but less than 18 inches, from primary distribution conductors are exempt from the 18–inch minimum clearance requirement under this rule. The trunks and limbs to which this exemption applies shall only be those of sufficient strength and rigidity to prevent the trunk or limb from encroaching upon the six–inch minimum clearance under reasonably foreseeable local wind and weather conditions. The utility shall bear the risk of determining whether this exemption applies, and the Commission shall have final authority to determine whether the exemption applies in any specific instance, and to order that corrective action be taken in accordance with this rule, if it determines that the exemption does not apply.
Strikeout and Underline Version
Rule 35
35 Vegetation Management Tree Trimming
Where overhead conductors wires pass through traverse
trees and vegetation, safety and reliability of service demand that certain
vegetation management activities be performed in order to establish
necessary and tree trimming be done in order that the wires may clear
branches and foliage by a reasonable distance clearances. The
minimum clearances established in Table 1, Cases 13 and 14,
measured between line conductors and vegetation under normal conditions, shall
be maintained. (Also see Appendix E for tree trimming guidelines.)
When a utility has actual knowledge, obtained either through normal operating practices or notification to the utility, dead, rotten and diseased trees or portions thereof, that overhang or lean toward and may fall into a span, should be removed.
Communication and electric supply circuits, energized at 750
volts or less, including their service drops, should be kept clear of vegetation
limbs and foliage, in new construction and when circuits are
reconstructed or repaired, whenever practicable. When a utility has actual
knowledge, obtained either through normal operating practices or notification
to the utility, that any circuit energized at 750 volts or less shows strain or
evidences abrasion from vegetation tree contact, the condition
shall be corrected by reducing conductor tension slacking or
rearranging or replacing the conductor, pruning the vegetation the
line, trimming the tree or placing mechanical protection on the
conductor(s). For the purpose of this rule, abrasion is defined as damage
to the insulation resulting from the friction between the tree and
conductor. Scuffing or polishing of the
insulating covering is not considered abrasion.
Strain on a conductor is present when there is additional tension causing
a deflection causes additional tension of the conductor beyond the slack of the span. Contact between vegetation limbs
and these conductors, in and of itself, does not constitute a violation
of the rule.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Rule 35 requirements do not apply to conductors, or aerial cable that complies with Rule 57.4-C, energized at less than 60,000 volts, where trimming or removal is not practicable and the conductor is separated from the tree with suitable materials or devices to avoid conductor damage by abrasion and grounding of the circuit through the tree.
(2) Rule 35 requirements do not apply where the utility has made a "good faith" effort to obtain permission to trim or remove vegetation but permission was refused or unobtainable. A "good faith" effort shall consist of current documentation of a minimum of an attempted personal contact and a written communication, including documentation of mailing or delivery. However, this does not preclude other action or actions from demonstrating "good faith". If permission to trim or remove vegetation is unobtainable and requirements of exception 2 are met, the utility is not compelled to comply with the requirements of exception 1.
(3) The Commission recognizes that unusual circumstances beyond the control of the utility may result in non-conformance with the rules. In such cases, the utility may be directed by the Commission to take prompt remedial action to come into conformance, whether or not the nonconformance gives rises to penalties or is alleged to fall within permitted exceptions or phase-in requirements.
(4) Mature trees whose trunks
and major limbs are located more than six inches, but less than the
clearance required by Table 1, Cases 13E and 14E18 inches, from
primary distribution conductors are exempt from the 18–inch minimum
clearance requirement under this rule. The trunks and limbs to which this
exemption applies shall only be those of sufficient strength and rigidity to
prevent the trunk or limb from encroaching upon the six–inch minimum clearance
under reasonably foreseeable local wind and weather conditions. The utility
shall bear the risk of determining whether this exemption applies, and the
Commission shall have final authority to determine whether the exemption
applies in any specific instance, and to order that corrective action be taken
in accordance with this rule, if it determines that the exemption does not
apply.
Final Version
Rule 35
35 Vegetation Management
Where overhead conductors traverse trees and vegetation, safety and reliability of service demand that certain vegetation management activities be performed in order to establish necessary and reasonable clearances. The minimum clearances established in Table 1, Cases 13 and 14, measured between line conductors and vegetation under normal conditions, shall be maintained. (Also see Appendix E for tree trimming guidelines).
When a utility has actual knowledge, obtained either through normal operating practices or notification to the utility, dead, rotten and diseased trees or portions thereof, that overhang or lean toward and may fall into a span, should be removed.
Communication and electric supply circuits, energized at 750 volts or less, including their service drops, should be kept clear of vegetation in new construction and when circuits are reconstructed or repaired, whenever practicable. When a utility has actual knowledge, obtained either through normal operating practices or notification to the utility, that any circuit energized at 750 volts or less shows strain or evidences abrasion from vegetation contact, the condition shall be corrected by reducing conductor tension rearranging or replacing the conductor, pruning the vegetation or placing mechanical protection on the conductor(s). For the purpose of this rule, abrasion is defined as damage to the insulation resulting from the friction between the tree and conductor. Scuffing or polishing of the insulating covering is not considered abrasion. Strain on a conductor is present when deflection causes additional tension beyond the allowable tension of the span. Contact between vegetation and conductors, in and of itself, does not constitute a violation of the rule.
EXCEPTIONS:
(1) Rule 35 requirements do not apply to conductors, or aerial cable that complies with Rule 57.4-C, energized at less than 60,000 volts, where trimming or removal is not practicable and the conductor is separated from the tree with suitable materials or devices to avoid conductor damage by abrasion and grounding of the circuit through the tree.
(2) Rule 35 requirements do not apply where the utility has made a "good faith" effort to obtain permission to trim or remove vegetation but permission was refused or unobtainable. A "good faith" effort shall consist of current documentation of a minimum of an attempted personal contact and a written communication, including documentation of mailing or delivery. However, this does not preclude other action or actions from demonstrating "good faith". If permission to trim or remove vegetation is unobtainable and requirements of exception 2 are met, the utility is not compelled to comply with the requirements of exception 1.
(3) The Commission recognizes that unusual circumstances beyond the control of the utility may result in non-conformance with the rules. In such cases, the utility may be directed by the Commission to take prompt remedial action to come into conformance, whether or not the nonconformance gives rises to penalties or is alleged to fall within permitted exceptions or phase-in requirements.
(4) Mature trees whose trunks and major limbs are located more than six inches, but less than the clearance required by Table 1, Cases 13E and 14E, from primary distribution conductors are exempt from the minimum clearance requirement under this rule. The trunks and limbs to which this exemption applies shall only be those of sufficient strength and rigidity to prevent the trunk or limb from encroaching upon the six–inch minimum clearance under reasonably foreseeable local wind and weather conditions. The utility shall bear the risk of determining whether this exemption applies, and the Commission shall have final authority to determine whether the exemption applies in any specific instance, and to order that corrective action be taken in accordance with this rule, if it determines that the exemption does not apply.