Published 06/28/2007
Johnson, VT- Members on the Vermont Electric Cooperative system in the Stowe area have been experiencing a high number of outages over the past two years. In response to these concerns, VEC is performing major upgrades on approximately one mile of line in the Stowe and Morristown area to improve system reliability. This project will benefit approximately 50 of VEC’s members off from Sterling Valley Road, east of Pumpkin Hollow Road going south along the Stowe and Morristown border.

 “VEC’s four man crew started work on June 7, 2007 and anticipates a completion date of late July” Ken Locke, Distribution Superintendent said. “The project includes replacement of 28 poles and a mile of line which extends deep into the woods and swamp area southwest to east of Sterling Brook.” As part of the line replacement, the existing bare wire is being replaced with insulated wire. The insulated wire will help reduce outages due to momentary contact with our line during storms. 

In conjunction with rebuilding this mile of line, extensive vegetation maintenance activities are being conducted along this circuit in order to minimize vegetation related interruptions in electric service. “On-going vegetation maintenance activities include the cutting of brush (up to 25 feet on each side of the center of the pole line) to ground level, as well as proper pruning of all branches growing towards the conductors and removal of trees which can not be properly pruned to provide adequate clearance”, Sara Packer, System Forester said. “Hazard trees, which due to size, location and/or condition, have a potential for damaging the conductors or structures are also being removed.” 

On May 30, 2007 VEC hosted a public meeting in Morrisville to present its reliability plan including the system upgrade and vegetation management to its members in the Morristown and Stowe areas. “We are committed to improving system reliability on a whole and this particular area was in dire need of attention, therefore becoming a priority” said Dave Hallquist, CEO. “The poor condition of this line along with its location in the woods and swamp area resulted in several outages for those members fed off from this point. We anticipate that the extensive work VEC is doing in this area will dramatically increase their reliability and reduce outages”.