To enhance safety and reliability, Ameren Illinois works year-round to keep 70,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines clear of trees and other vegetation. We inspect every circuit at least once every four years, and trim as needed, as required by state regulations.
Fallen trees and branches are a primary cause of electric power outages. To minimize the likelihood of safety hazards and power outages, trees and vegetation must be kept clear of electric power lines. Trimming trees and managing right-of-way vegetation can prevent many - but not all - outages that are caused when trees adjoining Ameren’s easements fall onto power lines.
.
Ameren Illinois uses several private contractors to perform its line clearance tree trimming. Our contractors are nationally recognized as professional arboricultural companies who meet American National Standards Institute (ANSI) pruning standards and pruning methods endorsed by the International Society of Arborists (ISA). All crew foremen are certified line clearance tree trimmers, and all general foremen are arborists certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. All crew foremen with the tree trimming contractors working for Ameren Illinois have a valid company identification badge.