Annual Right-of-Way Maintenance

Several years ago McDonough Power Cooperative initiated a significant vegetation management program to control vegetation under and around its electrical equipment. This program includes cutting, trimming and spraying of vegetation that will interfere with electric service. The program is on-going and necessary to deliver safe, low cost and reliable electricity to homes and businesses. Since the inception of our program, the cooperative has seen a considerable decrease in outages caused by trees and brush.

McDonough Power Cooperative contracts with neighboring co-op, Spoon River Electric Co-operative (SREC), to clear overgrown areas and spray sections previously cleared of vegetation to prevent re-growth. SREC personnel are licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and are experienced in all aspects of tree pruning and herbicide application.

Where tree removal (clearing) is desired or necessary to protect the lines the whole tree will be taken down and cut up for member disposal. In clearing right-of-way, machines will be used to shred brush and larger logs will left along the tree line. During tree pruning in accessible locations, tree branches will be chipped and larger wood will be cut into logs and left for member disposal. All tree pruning will be done in accordance with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A300 (part 11-2001) pruning standards. Right-of-way clearance is 15’ on each side of the power line.

Work will begin August 1 and continue into the fall. See the map for specific location details.

If you have questions or concerns regarding specific trees or chemical use on your property please contact McDonough Power at (309) 833-2101.