Power Lines

All overhead and underground power lines are live. These lines carry high voltage electrical charge and most are not insulated. That's why we put them up so high or bury them.

Stay 10 feet away

All outdoor tasks, including pruning, trimming, or felling a tree, cleaning a pool, moving an antenna, or working on a roof, require you to be aware of electrical safety.

1. Keep yourself and your equipment at least 10 feet away from overhead lines. Always
    work with a spotter. When you are on a ladder or on a roof, it is
    difficult to judge your distance from power lines.
2. Choose double-insulated and properly grounded tools when working outside or in
    wet areas.
3. Make sure that all outdoor electrical outlets have weatherproof covers and ground
    fault circuit interrupters.

If you have any questions, or simply want to learn more, call us at 1-888-TEL-GMPC (1-888-835-4672.) Staff at Green Mountain Power are available to consult with and assist you, free of charge.

1 (888) DIG SAFE

Digging safely is the law. Before you excavate or dig in or near utility rights-of-way, you must call Dig Safe. The toll-free number is 1 (888) DIG-SAFE. Within two working days, a Dig Safe representative will come to your site and clearly mark the electrical cables.

Keep kids clear

Take the time to help your children understand how to play safely outside. They need to know that overhead power lines are not insulated. Touching a line or anything that comes into contact with a line can kill them.

Even strings from kites, model airplanes, and balloons can conduct electricity. Teach your children to fly these objects in open areas far away from overhead lines.

Never allow them to climb trees near power lines.

Finally, teach your children how to identify electrical lines, substations, and pad-mounted transformers. And to stay clear of them.

Give trees room to grow

Trees can and do conduct electricity. Some simple rules of thumb will keep you safe and give the trees you plant the room they need to grow.

1. High-voltage transmission lines carry a 50-foot right-of-way.
2. Tall trees (such as maple, oak, and spruce) need a 50-foot clearance from
    distribution lines that run along your street.
3. Medium trees (those that will grow to a height of 40 feet) need a 20-foot clearance
    from distribution lines.
4. Small trees (such as dogwood, crabapple, or others that will grow to a height of 25
    feet), need a 20-foot clearance from distribution lines.
5. Plant shrubs and erect structures at least 12 feet from the front and 3 feet from all
    sides of pad-mounted transformers. (Pad-mounted transformers are green boxes
    on the ground in areas with underground electrical service.) This clearance enables
    us to work safely at these sites.

For more information about planting trees, contact the Arbor Day Foundation at 211 North 12th Street, Lincoln, NE 68508. Or visit online at www.arborday.org.