BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC CLEARS RIGHT OF WAYS FROM AIR

SUPPLY, NC, October 28, 2002 - - - It’s not a bird, or a plane or a UFO -- it's an aerial tree-trimming saw used by Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation, which started a program today of using a helicopter for right of way trimming on some of its transmission lines in Brunswick and Columbus counties.
Suspended on a vertical boom beneath a helicopter, the eleven 24-inch rotary blades are powered by a motor and allow for the quick, safe, and efficient side-trimming of trees by contractor Aerial Solutions, Inc.
"On accessible lines, traditional tree trimming crews still use bucket trucks and climb each tree individually," said Don Hughes, Vice President of Operations for the utility cooperative. "But the helicopter trimming speeds up the process dramatically, resulting in a significant cost savings. Remote lines that would take climbing crews days to complete can be trimmed by the aerial saw in a few hours."
The helicopter also eliminates the need for BEMC crews to enter private property to reach rights-of-way, said Hughes. "This eliminates the need for repeated trips across private property, which removes the possibility of damaging lands by hauling heavy equipment across it."
Perhaps the most significant value of the aerial trimming is safety, a strong priority at the co-op. "A single pilot maneuvers the helicopter and boom along the right-of-way," said Hughes. "As a result, workers don't need to climb countless trees in close proximity to energized power lines, reducing the chance for accidents." Ground crews scout out the area ahead of time for safety precautions as well as to identify tree species and plan the flight. During the trimming process, a ground crew in radio communication with the pilot is on hand as an additional safety measure.

Aerial trimming is so effective that it doesn’t need to be done too often. In fact, it’s been several years since BEMC has had the aerial team in this area. The current project includes about one week of work in each of the two counties. Residents in the Shallotte, Supply, Chadbourn and White Marsh part of BEMC’s service area will be able to see this process in action through about November 8.
This project adds a new dimension to BEMC’s program of systematic maintenance of right-of-ways. Hughes noted, “Left unattended, tree and large shrub growths within power line right of ways could interfere with delivery of power to our 62,000 members. The vegetation management program also contributes to the safety of the line technicians who service the lines throughout the year. Using the aerial tree trimming solution maximizes the efficiency of that program, saving us time, costs and resources.”
Aerial Solutions, Inc. is a BEMC member with operations based out of the Dothan area in Columbus County. They do work all across the United States.
Anyone with questions about the right-of-way program or the aerial trimming project is invited to contact Brunswick Electric at 1-800-842-5871 or 910-754-4391 or email us at info@bemc.org.