CMP Tree Care in Central and Midcoast Will Enhance Power-System Reliability
CMP News
Central Maine Power Company, 83 Edison Drive, Augusta, ME 04336 (207) 622-NEWS
Corporate Communications - corpcomm@cmpco.com
Release: Immediate
August 21, 2015
CMP Tree Care in Central and Midcoast Maine Will Enhance Power-System Reliability
AUGUSTA, Maine Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, will continue performing tree-trimming work in about nearly 30 communities in Central and Midcoast Maine during the coming weeks. The work along utility lines is part of CMP's $20 million annual vegetation management program to maintain the reliability of its transmission and distribution lines.
We maintain nearly 24,000 miles of roadside distribution lines on a five-year cycle of vegetation clearing, inspection, and repair, said CMP Spokesperson Gail Rice. Trees contacting lines is the most frequent cause of blinking clocks and power outages, so customers should see better reliability as the crews trim along the roadsides in their towns.
CMP's arborists and contractors are working in Augusta, Belfast, Belmont, Brooks, Damariscotta, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Monroe, Morrill, Newcastle, Nobleboro, Northport, Readfield, Searsmont, Sidney, Somerville Plantation, Swanville, Topsham, Wayne, West Bath, Waldo, Washington, Westport, Whitefield, Windsor, Winterport, and Winthrop.
CMP urges motorists to use caution when they encounter tree crews working alongside Maine roads.
These crews play a key role in helping CMP provide the safe, reliable service that our customers depend on, said Rice. The work can be difficult, so we urge motorists who pass these crews to proceed slowly and at a safe distance.
CMP contracts with professional arborists who are required to follow practices established by the International Society of Arboriculture. These include consideration for the health, shape, strength, growth rate, and appearance of trees before and after pruning. CMP notifies customers about its vegetation management activities every year with inserts in its bills. Customers can sign up to receive a notice when tree trimming is happening in their area. For more information, call CMP Customer Service at 1-800-750-4000.
Additional information about CMP's tree care program, along with tips for tree planting and care can be found on CMP's Web site at http://www.cmpco.com click on Usage and Safety, then Tree Care.
Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Media Contact:
Gail Rice
207.622.NEWS
###
About Central Maine Power Company (CMP): Central Maine Power Company, a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, is Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility. The company delivers about 9 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually to more than 600,000 homes and businesses, representing about 80% of Maine's annual consumer sales of electricity. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the company #1 in customer satisfaction seven times. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com.
About Iberdrola USA: Iberdrola USA is the U.S. subsidiary of global energy leader Iberdrola, S.A. The Iberdrola USA companies employ about 5,000 people with operations in 24 states from New England to the West Coast, providing electricity generation, transmission and distribution, natural gas storage and distribution, and energy services. For more information, please visit our website: www.iberdrolausa.com. Follow us on Twitter: @IberdrolaUSA