Bark Beetle Kill Tree Program
Homer Electric launched a beetle-kill tree damage-control program in June 1999.
This program goes beyond HEA's usual right-of-way reclearing program. Trees
falling from outside the power line right-of-way present a high risk of damage to our
electrical lines and structures. Trees identified by the plan are being cut to
reduce the danger to HEA's primary powerlines.The Spruce bark beetle infestation has affected approximately 70%
of the Kenai Peninsula. HEA will be concentrating on areas with the most beetle-kill
trees--primarily south of Kachemak Bay and from Homer to Ninilchik.
HEA has committed $1.5 million to this plan
to lower the risk to our consumers for outages. Because this is a nonrecurring
event, the cumulative cost of this program will be recorded as an extraordinary item on
the income statement. The project has been carefully planned so funding can be
accomplished without negative impact to consumer rates. |
