CMP Tree Care in Kennebec and Somerset Counties 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
Media Contact: Gail Rice (207) 622 NEWS
CMP Tree Care in Kennebec and Somerset Counties Will Enhance Power-System Reliability
AUGUSTA, Maine, February 26, 2014 Central Maine Power, a subsidiary of Iberdrola USA, is performing tree trimming work in more than 20 communities in Hancock, Kennebec, and Somerset Counties over the coming weeks. The work along utility lines is part of a $20 million annual vegetation management program to improve 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. "Contact with trees 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 Benton, Bingham, Caratunk Plantation, China, Concord, Cornville, Fairfield, Fairfield, Jackman, Madison, Manchester, Moscow, Norridgewock, Oakland, Palmyra, Pleasant Ridge Plantation, Skowhegan, St. Albans, The Forks, Vassalboro, Waterville, Windsor, and Winslow.
Motorists are urged 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 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."
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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. The company has been ranked #1 in customer satisfaction six times by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit cmpco.com .
About Iberdrola USA: Iberdrola USA, a subsidiary of global energy leader Iberdrola, S.A., is an energy services and delivery company serving more than 2.4 million customers in upstate New York and New England. For more information about Iberdrola USA, visit www.iberdrolausa.com.