West Penn Power to spend $46 million to trim trees along power lines this year

In an effort to reduce power outages caused by downed branches and trees during summer thunderstorms, West Penn Power said it anticipates trimming trees along 2,600 miles of electric lines in its 24-county service territory, which includes all or portions of Allegheny, Armstrong, Fayette and Westmoreland counties.

The initiative is part of West Penn Power’s $46 million vegetation management program for this year, the company said. It has trimmed about 2,000 miles since the beginning of the year.

The Greensburg-based subsidiary of First Energy Corp. is removing thousands of deteriorated ash trees along its electric distribution lines harmed or killed by the Emerald Ash Borer, said John Rea, regional president of West Penn Power. The company allocated about $4 million to cut down about 26,000 dead and dying ash trees along distribution lines in Western Pennsylvania. Crews removed about 9,600 ash trees so far this year.

Tree trimming is ongoing in the following areas:

Allegheny County: Elizabeth, Forward, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, South Fayette, East Deer, Harmar, Tarentum, Frazier, Lincoln, North Versailles, South Versailles, Pleasant Hills and South Park.

Armstrong County: Wayne, Manor, South Buffalo, Mahoning, East Franklin, Cowanshannock, Madison, Kittanning, Plum Creek, Kiski Township and South Bend.

Fayette County: Connellsville, South Connellsville, Uniontown, Bullskin, Washington, Franklin, Salt Lick, Belle Vernon, South Union, North Union, Springhill, Springfield, Georges, Menallen, Upper Tyrone, Dunbar Borough and Dunbar Township

Westmoreland County: Greensburg, Hempfield, Latrobe, Murrysville, Unity, Rostraver, Bell, Loyalhanna, New Kensington, Lower Burrell, Upper Burrell, Washington Township, Derry Township, Arnold, Penn Township, Allegheny Township, East Huntingdon, South Huntingdon, North Huntingdon, Salem, Manor, Vandergrift, West Newton and Ligonier.

The tree trimming program includes inspecting vegetation near the lines to ensure trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree, while also maintaining safety near electric facilities. Trees that present a danger or are diseased may be removed, West Penn Power said.

West Penn Power said it informs municipalities of tree trimming schedules and customers living along company rights-of-way also are notified prior to the trimming.