Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation

Piedmont Electric provides Right-of-Way trimming services for all power lines under its management. Right-of-way maintenance involves trimming tree limbs back so that they do not interfere with power lines. This allows Piedmont Electric to provide more reliable service to each of its members and can increase the speed at which outages can be repaired.

Piedmont Electric is committed to a three year right-of-way cycle, which means that we will be in your area once every three years.

PEMC employees use right-of-way easements to access the Cooperative’s electric lines on private property. Properly cleared and accessible rights-of-way help us provide the quick response to service issues and high level of reliability that our members deserve.

As a condition of receiving electric service, all members grant easement rights to the Cooperative at no cost. This gives PEMC the right to clear and maintain right-of-way and to construct, operate and maintain any facilities required to furnish electric service. It also grants PEMC the right to replace, rebuild or remove these facilities. The majority of PEMC’s use of right-of-way will be in routine maintenance of its facilities.

Right-of-way along our transmission lines are 50 feet on both sides of the utility poles, while right-of-way for distribution lines — those that carry power to homes and businesses — are 15 feet on either side of the poles. This space allows large utility vehicles and long pole trailers the necessary room to safely maneuver while employees or contractors work to install, repair or maintain electric lines.

For example, some PEMC vehicles are more than 12 feet wide when stabilizing outriggers are lowered. A boom truck — used to set or move utility poles — is more than 26 feet long, and these vehicles require at least 14 feet of vertical clearance from the ground. When attached, pole trailers and utility trucks can be more than 85 feet long.

While new right-of-way typically are cleared by the Cooperative or its contractors, members have the option, by obtaining prior approval from PEMC, of clearing their own new right-of-way or hiring a contractor to perform the work. All rights-of-way clearing should meet PEMC specifications and should be performed in a timely manner. Existing right-of-way are maintained by PEMC or its contractors.