[Vision2020] Avista & Trees

[Bill London]

I think the real moral of the tree-trimming problem is that only the appropriate trees should be planted near power lines.
Some trees are fine below or near power lines.  They never grow tall enough to be a problem.
In Moscow, anyone with a question about what tree goes appropriately in what place should call the city parks guru, Roger Blanchard at 883-7098
BL
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bev Bafus 
  To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
  Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 8:42 PM
  Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Avista & Trees


  There's more to the trimming and cutting of trees around power lines than the fear of power failures.  The power company in the Blue Mountains area is being sued right now for causing the massive School Fire.  The Hangman Creek fire in Spokane in the 90's was caused by power lines in trees.  Most power companies are scared to death of being sued for loss of property or life because of a wildfire.

  I cried when the ponderosa pine trees were butchered on Highway 8 heading into Troy.  Instead of cutting them down, the power company shaved off the side.  They looked ridiculous, and succumbed to stress diseases over the years.  It would have been kinder to cut them down.

  So, bottom line... don't plant trees near power lines.  And be grateful every time you turn the switch on, that our power is as affordable as it is.

  And pray for the folks in South Lake Tahoe, California.  Over 200 homes have burned down.  Let's hope it never happens here.

  Bev
    -----Original Message-----
    From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]On Behalf Of Mike Deleve
    Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 7:31 PM
    To: Donovan Arnold; Dan Carscallen; 'Saundra Lund'; 'Vision 2020'
    Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Avista & Trees


    While I agree that underground lines are much more aesthetically pleasing,  It is far more expensive to bury the lines than overhead transmission. The technical aspects I am somewhat familiar with, but would have to reference the N.E.C. to be certain. When the transmission lines are overhead in the air, it requires a smaller gauge wire as the wire can shed the heat of resistance to the air more readily. That translates into big $$$$$. The size of wire we are talking here is not cheap. 4/0 4/0 2/0 (service entrance cable suitable for a 200 amp service panel) is nearly $3.00 per foot, I'm not certain what the feeder wire gauge is.  As for dependability of underground, when I lived on Concord Ave. in Moscow, it was an annual (at least) power failure due to the lines rotting away underground. Giant holes in the ground (in the front yard) to make the repairs. There are always tradeoffs.

    Mike
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Donovan Arnold 
      To: Dan Carscallen ; 'Saundra Lund' ; 'Vision 2020' 
      Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2007 7:03 PM
      Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Avista & Trees


      Buried lines are the way to go, less likely for power outage. Technology has advanced enough to where they know where the power goes out in an underground line. 

      Best,

      Donovan

      Dan Carscallen <areaman at moscow.com> wrote:
        Saundra writes in part:
        ". . . I thought I'd put the text here for discussion, comments,
        suggestions, etc."

        While I'd just as soon leave the trees, I'd not like to see Moscow end
        up in an emergency situation during a severe weather event that might
        cause trees to fall on power lines creating outages. 

        Those trees are real nice 'til they cut you out of power for a few days.
        Then they are the debbil.

        Buried power would be great, but in talking to a few Avista electricians
        I've learned that it has it's own drawbacks, not the least of which is
        finding where a line may be compromised underground.

        DC


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