Tennessee Valley Authority showed WDEF News 12 more about their transmission lines in their helicopter Wednesday afternoon.
TVA spends more than 20 million dollars each year to maintain the lines right of ways. Specialists say strict vegetation maintenance greatly reduces the risk of trees contacting the lines. They say it also helps with transmissions reliability and public safety. TVA's does not allow trees that mature more than fifteen feet. The practice helps reduce vegetation growing too close to the line and reduces the risk of trees potentially falling on lines. Jason Regg, Tennessee Valley Authority said, "We want to promote the right tree in the right place. The right vegetation in the right place. Taller growing species and transmission lines, they just don't mix, it's a dangerous combination. We are in the process of promoting lower growing species and proper places within the right of way." TVA does not allow taller, incompatible trees within rights of way, even if landowners say they will control the tree height.
To learn more about how TVA manages vegetation along its transmission rights of way, go to tva.com/row.
