Work scheduled across community will help reduce power outages

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (October 19, 2023) – As part of its ongoing efforts to reduce tree-related power outages across the state, Eversource is addressing trees that threaten electric reliability in several communities this year. In Amherst, the energy company will have trimmed or removed trees along 14 miles of town roads by the end of 2023.

“Trees continue to be the primary cause of power outages, especially during a storm, so identifying weak, diseased and hazardous trees along town roads and trimming or removing them before they cause a problem is critical,” said Eversource Vegetation Management Manager Christopher Gonzalez.  “While we all love our trees, we have seen firsthand the damage they can cause to the electric system. Our comprehensive and consistent tree trimming program helps to improve day-to-day reliability during all types of weather and we continue to see fewer power outages where this work has been done – that’s why this work is so vital.”

Eversource uses a crane to remove hazard trees in Amherst near Wildwood Elementary School.

“Eversource is a great partner,” said Amherst Tree Warden Alan Snow.  “We work closely with their arborist to identify risk trees along the public way. When our tree crews can’t get hazard trees down because of their proximity to the wires, Eversource will step up and remove those trees for the town. Due to the Emerald Ash Borer infestation, we’re losing all of our ash trees one-by-one, as well as maples that are in decline, so there’s a lot of trees unfortunately dying along our roadside that make it very difficult to keep up with.”

Roads where work is being done include Middle St., West St., Military Rd., Bay Rd. and Potwine Lane.

The energy company is closely coordinating its plan with community leaders and communicating with property owners to explain details of the work and their option to keep the wood cut on their property. As a reminder, all contractors carry proper identification, will never ask to enter a private residence, and there is no cost to the property owner for this work.

In addition, the energy company reminds customers that homeowners are responsible for tree maintenance on their own property, including keeping branches away from the lower-voltage service wires connecting their homes and businesses to the main utility lines on the street. Eversource strongly recommends contacting a professional tree service to perform this work. For details on the company’s comprehensive vegetation management program and guidance about trees that can be safely planted near power lines, please visit the vegetation management page of Eversource’s website.

Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is the #1 energy company in Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2023 and recognized as one of America’s Most JUST Companies. Celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to 1.8 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.47 million electric customers in 140 communities, 639,000 gas customers in 117 communities, and 11,500 water customers in five communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,900 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.