{"id":473134,"date":"2021-04-07T14:48:24","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T18:48:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=473134"},"modified":"2021-04-07T14:48:24","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T18:48:24","slug":"jcpl-2021-tree-trimming-program-to-enhance-service-reliability","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/jcpl-2021-tree-trimming-program-to-enhance-service-reliability\/","title":{"rendered":"JCP&L 2021 Tree Trimming Program to Enhance Service Reliability"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Work includes trimming along more than 3,700 miles of power lines in 13 New Jersey counties<\/h2>\n

PR Newswire<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n MORRISTOWN, N.J.<\/span>, April 7, 2021<\/span> \/PRNewswire\/ —\u00a0Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), is conducting tree trimming work along more than 3,700 miles of power lines across its 13-county service territory as part of its annual vegetation management program. This work helps keep power flowing to customers around the clock by preventing tree-related outages.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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So far this year, tree contractors have trimmed along approximately 400 miles of electric lines in the JCP&L service area, with an additional 3,300 miles expected to be completed by year end. Overall, JCP&L expects to spend approximately $41 million<\/span> on its vegetation management program in 2021.<\/p>\n

“Our company foresters and certified tree experts work year-round to properly maintain trees and vegetation, helping reduce both the frequency and duration of power outages,” said Alex Patton<\/span>, vice president of Operations for JCP&L. “This work is making a positive difference in keeping the lights on for our customers, especially during severe weather when trees have the potential to damage our equipment.”<\/p>\n

Conducted by certified forestry contractors under the company’s direction, JCP&L’s tree trimming program is done on a four-year cycle and 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 proper clearances around electrical equipment. <\/p>\n

This year’s program continues to focus on identifying and proactively removing deteriorated ash trees near electric distribution lines, primarily in JCP&L’s northern service territory, that have been affected by the Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive beetle that originated in Asia<\/span>. First confirmed in the U.S. in 2002, the infestation has spread to New Jersey<\/span> and more than 35 states. More than 980 dead and dying ash trees have been removed this year in the JCP&L footprint and nearly 18,500 since the initiative began in New Jersey<\/span> in 2017. <\/p>\n

As part of the 2021 tree trimming program, forestry contractors are performing tree work in municipalities in the following counties in April:<\/p>\n