By Martine Miller, Town of Mount Pleasant Communications Manager
MOUNT PLEASANT, SC (Sept. 1, 2021) – As part of a comprehensive and proactive vegetation management program, Dominion Energy tree crews will begin removing select vegetation along the Cainhoy-Mount Pleasant transmission line rights-of-way. The work is slated to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 7, along Whipple Road, between Mathis Ferry Road and Long Point Road.
Dominion Energy will continue to work collaboratively with the Town of Mount Pleasant, as well as property owners, to ensure the right species of trees are planted in the right place to avoid removal. Town Senior planner Eddie Bernard, a registered landscape architect, will be monitoring the tree removal project and supervising the replanting schedule.
Trees that exceed a maximum height of approximately 10 feet at maturity are not suitable for planting along transmission rights-of-way near overhead lines. The work will consist of removing crape myrtle trees and replacing them with appropriate and smaller growing vegetation.
“While we understand and appreciate the passion surrounding trees across the Lowcountry, safety remains our top priority” said Paul Fischer, spokesperson with Dominion Energy South Carolina. “Trees that have grown too close to overhead power lines are not only a safety hazard, but also represent the No. 1 reason for outages on our system. Routine safeguarding of overhead facilities is critical to ensure a safe, resilient, and reliable electric system that keeps the lights on for all of our customers.”
For more information about Dominion Energy’s Vegetation Management Program, visit www.dominionenergy.com/trees or contact 1(800) 251-7234.