Many of you have recently voiced concerns about the work GA Power is doing in our neighborhood. The HOA met with Kym Stephens, Transmission Forester for GA Power, and Kerry McNamara, Tree Removal coordinator whose company has been subcontracting the work for many years.
Basically GA Power is not allowing any tree or shrub, whose mature height is over 15 feet, to grow within the transmission path (they are much more lenient with the lower voltage distribution lines in front of our homes). We were told they are responding to new national guidelines requiring aggressive management of the rights-of-way paths. They say the blackout of 2003 and the following investigation revealed that overgrown trees contributed to this major power outage. Our research shows that tree interference was further down the list of critical failures that caused this blackout to cascade to several states and parts of Canada. You can draw your own conclusions by reading the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeast_blackout_of_2003.
GA Power does offer some compensation in the form of a program for replacing your landscaping with plants from an approved list. This is a program they do not readily offer as it costs them time and money, but we personally think it’s the least they can do for suddenly destroying your landscape. The amount of compensation will be done on a case-by-case basis, and you must call either Kym Stephens (770-387-5348) or Kerry McNamara(404-473-8425) to set up an appointment.
The HOA also reached out to Commissioner Boyer’s office, Trees Atlanta, and a private attorney to get some advice. The commissioner’s office plans on sending a letter to GA Power stating a concern for their constituency, Trees Atlanta gave us the name of the head of line clearing, Matt Chambers (770-841-3786) and the investigation our easement agreement with GA Power back in March of 1962 reveals that GA Power has “the right at all times to enter upon said premises for the purpose of inspection said lines, making repairs, renewals, alterations and extensions thereon…together with the right to cut away and keep clear of said lines, all trees and other obstructions that may now or hereafter in any way interfere or be likely to interfere with the proper operation of said lines…”
Ultimately, the HOA believes the only recourse is to accept the replanting if it is offered. A long expensive legal battle with a big company seems futile. However, I encourage you to voice any complaints you can with GA Power so that, in the future, they do a much better job of informing and working with the community.
