At CHEC, we strive to balance maintaining beautiful natural surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights of way (ROW).
While we recognize and appreciate the beauty of trees, there are important benefits to tree trimming in ROW areas. A right of way is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Rights of way enable the coop to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation. Regardless of if the ROW area is located on public land or near a business or home, CHEC must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the ROW.
In 2025, CHEC has a ROW contract with Dickson Tree Service out of Tennessee. The ROW contract requires distribution ROW to be trimmed six feet below the cooperative's neutral conductor or three feet below the communications fiber. The distribution ROW will be trimmed 10 feet on each side of the pole and the sub transmission ROW will be trimmed 25 feet on each side of the pole. Dick Tree Service has already completed ROW work in Buxton and Hatteras villages. They will return to complete their work in Frisco in October.
