Providing reliable power is and always will be Central Texas Electric Cooperative (CTEC)’s top priority. Power reliability seems to be making news more than ever these days, and we’re doing all we can to meet the moment.
As the energy industry continues to change and more sectors of the economy are becoming electrified, such as vehicles, machinery, and even lawn equipment, more and more strain is being placed on the electric grid.
With summer storm season upon us, I thought it would be a good time to share a few measures we’re taking to ensure you continue receiving the stable supply of power you depend on and deserve.
Modern Vegetation Management
I love trees and the charm they add to our communities, and I know you do too. While trees provide shade and beauty, you may be surprised to learn that overgrown vegetation accounts for about half of all power outages.
Here’s the good news: Healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. That’s why we strive to keep the co-op’s power lines clear in rights-of-way (the land a utility uses to construct, maintain, replace, or repair underground and overhead power lines). The ROW enables Central Texas EC to provide clearance from trees and obstructions that could hinder distribution lines.
Traditional vegetation management is costly and time-consuming. It entails on-the-ground, labor-intensive efforts involving dozens of workers assessing vegetation and overseeing the quality and completion of contractor work. But our thoughtful, proactive approach to trimming and pruning has been honed by decades of work in our part of Texas.
Help Us Help You
Although it may seem counterintuitive, we also maintain power reliability through planned, controlled outages. By carefully cutting power to one part of our service area for a few hours, CTEC can perform system repairs and upgrades, which ultimately improve electric service.
Planned outages can also be used to balance energy demand but only in rare circumstances. Rest assured, we’ll always notify you in advance of a planned outage. To ensure you receive that heads up, make sure we have your current contact information on file.