ROW

Question 1

Total Budget for All ROW (Including Payroll) 2024

Answer 1

$7,509,247.78

Question 2

Tree Budget (Including Payroll) 2024

Answer 2

$3,544,652.90

Question 3

Tree Budget (Including Payroll) 2025

Answer 3

$3,687,800.29

Question 4

Tree Budget (Including Payroll) 2026

Answer 4

$3,784,153.39

Question 5

Contract Budget for Ground Floor 2024

Answer 5

$1,603,469.95

Question 6

Contract Budget for Tree 2024

Answer 6

$3,054,168.00

Question 7

2023 Side Trim Numbers (Ground and Aerial)

Answer 7

618 miles of the scheduled 470

Question 8

Danger Tree Topping

Answer 8

1.6 miles not including portion done for Central

Question 9

Patrol Stems Removed

Answer 9

4,192 trees/442 spans

Question 10

Encroachment Shinn Cutter

Answer 10

0.24 miles of 12

Question 11

Chemical Side Trim

Answer 11

20.4 miles part of pilot program

Question 12

Debris Cleanup

Answer 12

36.1 miles

Question 13

Ground Side Trim Cost per mile

Answer 13

$5,000 includes cleanup

Question 14

Aerial Side Trim cost per mile

Answer 14

$2,424

Question 15

Ground Patrol/Tree

Answer 15

$516

Question 16

Aerial Patrol/Tree

Answer 16

$199

Question 17

Cleanup Aerial Cost

Answer 17

$116,734

Question 18

Minimum Approach Distance By Voltage

Answer 18

230 kV = 6’-8”
115 kV = 3’-9”
69 kV = 3’-4”

Question 19

Amount and Type of Personnel in Tree Management

Answer 19

1 Supervisor, 1 Forester, 1 Equipment Operator and 1 Contract Worker

Question 20

MVCD for 230 kV I String Bundled Conductor 800’

Answer 20

16’-11”

Question 21

MVCD for 230 kV Ground Clearance

Answer 21

20’-8”

Question 22

What is the purpose of NERC?

Answer 22

The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) is a not-for-profit international regulatory authority whose mission is to assure the effective and efficient reduction of risks to the reliability and security of the grid.

Question 23

Who does NERC report to?

Answer 23

Compliance under NERC is authorized by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) through the Federal Power Act. As such, NERC measures compliance activities by monitoring, registering, and certifying organizations that power North America.

Question 24

Why Tree Trimming (vegetation management) is necessary?

Answer 24

Tree contact with transmission lines is a leading cause of electric power outages and a common cause of past regional blackouts, including the August 2003 blackout that affected 50 million people in the Northeast United States and Canada. Following the 2003 blackout and subsequent federal legislation, the Commission designated the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) as the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO), with the responsibility to develop and enforce standards to ensure the reliability of the Bulk Power System, including the Reliability Standard that addresses vegetation management covering tree trimming on rights-of-way, FAC-003-4.

Question 25

TVMP: what is it and its purpose?

Answer 25

A transmission vegetation management plan (TVMP) is a document that outlines the strategy and guidelines for maintaining the clearance and safety of transmission lines and rights-of-way from vegetation growth and encroachment. The purpose of a TVMP is to improve the reliability and security of the electric transmission system by preventing vegetation-related outages that could lead to cascading failures or endanger public safety. A TVMP also helps to comply with the federal, state, and local regulations and requirements, as well as the property owner agreements, related to the transmission line right-of-way.

Question 26

How do you ensure compliance with the NERC reliability standards and other federal, state, and local regulations related to the right of way?

Answer 26

To ensure compliance with the NERC reliability standards and other federal, state, and local regulations related to the right of way (ROW), one needs to follow these steps: -Identify and understand the applicable rules and requirements for the ROW management, such as the NERC FAC-003-4 standard, the FERC policy statement, or the state and local laws and ordinances. -Implement and maintain a vegetation management program (VMP) that meets or exceeds the minimum clearance distances and inspection frequencies for the transmission lines, as well as the environmental, social, and legal obligations for the ROW. -Document and report the VMP activities and results, such as the vegetation conditions, the costs and benefits, or the customer feedback, to the relevant authorities and stakeholders, such as NERC, FERC, or the landowners- -Monitor and audit the VMP performance and compliance, using various tools and methods, such as GIS, drones, surveys, or statistical models, and identify and address any gaps or issues. -Participate and cooperate in the NERC compliance enforcement process, which involves self-certification, spot checks, audits, investigations, and possible sanctions or penalties for non-compliance.

Question 27

How do you plan, budget, and monitor the vegetation management program for the right of way?

Question 28

What are the main challenges and opportunities for managing the right of way for electric transmission lines?

Answer 28

Challenges: -Obtaining the necessary environmental, forest, and land use clearances and approvals from federal, state, and local authorities. -Acquiring the land or easements from the landowners, who may have different expectations, preferences, and concerns about the transmission project. -Negotiating the compensation and mitigation measures for the landowners and communities affected by the transmission line construction and operation. -Dealing with the public opposition, litigation, or protest that may arise due to the perceived impacts of the transmission line on the environment, health, safety, property values, or aesthetics. -Coordinating and collaborating with other infrastructure developers, such as gas pipelines, roads, or railways, to co-locate or avoid conflicts with the transmission line. -Maintaining the vegetation and clearance along the ROW to ensure the reliability and security of the transmission line, while minimizing the environmental and social impacts. Opportunities: -Enhancing the public awareness and acceptance of the transmission project by engaging with the stakeholders, providing transparent and accurate information, and addressing their issues and concerns. -Developing and implementing best practices and guidelines for ROW management, such as the NERC reliability standards, the FERC policy statement, or the ACEG recommended siting practices. -Leveraging the existing ROWs or corridors, such as those of other transmission lines, gas pipelines, roads, or railways, to reduce the land acquisition and environmental impacts of the transmission project. -Utilizing the ROWs as wildlife habitat, biodiversity conservation, or recreational areas, by applying appropriate vegetation management techniques and partnering with environmental groups or agencies. -Adopting new technologies, innovations, or solutions for ROW management, such as underground or submarine cables, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) lines, or drones for inspection and monitoring.

Question 29

How do you handle emergency situations, such as storm damage, tree contact, or public safety issues, involving the right of way?

Question 30

How do you coordinate and collaborate with other departments, such as engineering, operations, environmental, and legal, on the right of way projects?

Question 31

How do you evaluate and implement new technologies, best practices, and innovations for the right of way management?

Question 32

How do you train, supervise, and evaluate the performance of the right of way staff and contractors?

Question 33

How do you measure and report the effectiveness and efficiency of the right of way management?

Question 34

How do you handle conflicts, complaints, or disputes related to the right of way?

Question 35

OSHA Clearances for non-qualified personnel by voltage

Answer 35

69 kV= 15’ 115 kV= 15’ 230 kV= 20’

Question 36

Chain from FERC to VACAR

Answer 36

VACAR reports to SERC who reports to NERC who reports to FERC