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Ogre213 t1_jcag37j wrote

They hold easements for their lines that permit them to clear on privately owned lands. These easements also permit them to ignore wetland and other environmental laws broadly and without prior approval.

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nowhereman1223 t1_jcaotmm wrote

Are you aware those easements don't cover the trees that aren't on the easement?

They aren't airspace easements.

If the tree is on the property owners' land and not on the easement, they need to get approval.

Don't get me wrong a lot of companies shirked maintenance. But they haven't been doing that for about a decade now. Every minute power is down and they have crews out working at double OT overnight for days straight.... they are losing MASSIVE amounts of money.

The math doesn't work out unless you are referring to super rural areas with only a few customers on a single line that covers miles and miles. But anywhere that has any density at all.... it doesn't make sense to not maintain it.

The power company isn't the internet company that charges you whether the service works or not. The power companies have a vested interest in keeping you connected and drawing power constantly.

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