Vegetation and Powerlines
Pest Management Plan for Distribution Corridors
BC Hydro has confirmed its Pest Management Plan for Distribution Corridors [PDF, 298 Kb] under the Integrated Pest Management Act and Regulations. The purpose of the plan is to ensure electrical system reliability, and health and safety for workers and the public in and around BC Hydro distribution corridors using integrated vegetation management methods.
The plan covers distribution corridors, including their access roads or helipads throughout BC Hydro's operating area [PDF, 140 Kb].
Vegetation Management at BC Hydro Facilities
Weeds in and around BC Hydro facilities can cause hazards to workers and the general public. To effectively control weeds, BC Hydro uses Integrated Vegetation Management techniques. These techniques are described in the Pest Management Plan for Management of Vegetation at BC Hydro Facilities [PDF, 322 Kb].
Management Plan for Wood Structure Maintenance
To ensure public safety and electrical system reliability, BC Hydro contractors inspect wood power poles along distribution lines and carry out treatment if required. Poles that have been in service at least 14 years (lodgepole pine) and 20 years (western red cedar) are inspected, tested for strength and treated near ground level with wood preservative to prevent and/or stop decay.
Untreated poles typically have a service life of only 30 years, while treated poles can last up to 70 years, conserving demand on our forest resources.
Wood preservatives used are approved and registered for utility wood poles by Health Canada. Contractors are certified and licensed by the BC Ministry of Environment, and work is completed under the direction of BC Hydro in accordance with BC Hydro's Pest Management Plan for Wood Structure Maintenance. Details of this program are found in the Pest Management Plan for BC Hydro Wood Structure Maintenance [PDF, 502 Kb].
Vegetation Management at Home
BC Hydro has one of the best systems in the world for distributing power to the homes and workplaces of more than three million British Columbians. But when trees or tree branches come in contact with power lines, the result is trouble. Tree contact or trees growing too close to electric power lines can create a severe public safety hazard and cause interruption of electrical and other services. Power lines broken or knocked down by trees or tree branches can be live, and live wires can kill. Never approach a downed power line, instead call BC Hydro immediately. To reduce the likelihood of such dangerous occurrences, BC Hydro spends millions of dollars a year on vegetation management programs.
BC Hydro generally does not clear service wires unless there is a serious electrical hazard. It is recommended that homeowners hire professional tree firms. If homeowners wish to prune their own trees, BC Hydro will remove the wire to allow the pruning to be done, and reinstall it when the job is complete. In most cases there is no charge for this service. BC Hydro is responsible for and will clear all of the wires along the main BC Hydro line.
