University Park: Will Power be More Reliable After Pepco Completes its Tree Trimming?

Driving around University Park, residents may see Pepco contractors trimming trees around power lines.

The work began last Tuesday after a little drama:

According to Mayor John Tabori, the town was issuing Pepco a permit to trim trees in early March, but one contractor began work along 40th Avenue prior to the permit's issuance. Eight to ten trees were cut during that process and the town suspended Pepco's permit. The permit was recently reinstated.

Residents can expect the work to be completed by April 12, as estimated by Pepco, the town's director of public works Michael Beall said. 

Pepco Media Relations Manager Marcus Beal said tree trimming is a part of Pepco's effort to become more reliable.

The Maryland Legislature passed the Maryland Electricity Service Quality and Reliability Act, in the spring of 2011, according to Beal. "The new law, which applies to all Maryland utilities, is intended to help improve electrical
service restoration by requiring more stringent vegetation management and tree trimming around power lines," Pepco states in its vegetation management guide.

In University Park, power outages are common during rainstorms and even on windy days. . 

So far work has been completed in College Park, Hyattsville, parts of Riverdale Park and Upper Marlboro and 1,964 miles of trees have been cut in Prince George's County, Beal said.

Although some residents have complained about the appearance of the treeline post-trimming, Beal said Pepco works with a number of tree experts to make sure the work is completed properly.

"The tree trimming is audited by the Department of Natural Resources," Beal said. "We work with the community as well and local governments."

Attached to this post is the door hanger Pepco shared with University Park residents before the work began. Also attached is their vegetation management flyer.

So University Park residents, what do you think of Pepco's work so far? Do you believe the tree trimming will help with power outages on your street?