The Bark Beetle Problem and SCE's Role
Tree Removal Impacts & Safety Tips
Tree Removal on Private Property
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Tree Removal Reimbursements
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SCE’s Tree Removal Contractor
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The Bark Beetle Problem & SCE's Role
What is the bark beetle problem all about?
In San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego and Los Angeles counties, hundreds of thousands of trees, weakened by years of drought in mountainous regions, are dead or dying due to widespread infestation by an insect called the bark beetle. On March 7, 2003, an executive order by the governor proclaimed a state of emergency in the three affected counties. A 2005 proclamation extended the emergency 2003 proclamation to affected areas of Los Angeles County. The situation poses a potential hazard to the people and property in the affected communities that we serve, as well as to our facilities. Areas most heavily impacted by the infestation include Idyllwild, Wrightwood, and Lake Arrowhead. In 2003 the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF), now know as Cal Fire estimated more than a million trees had already died. The number of dead trees will continue to increase as drought continues and the bark beetle infestation spreads.
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Why is SCE concerned about this problem and what is its role?
Dead or dying trees pose a danger to local residents, and dead trees near electrical lines pose a threat to electric service reliability for the affected areas. In April 2003, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) directed SCE and other utilities in the affected counties to take all reasonable and necessary actions to remove trees that could pose safety hazards and cause electric service interruptions by falling on electrical lines. For SCE, that could total more than 350,000 trees. Pursuant to this order, SCE has developed a comprehensive program to remove dead or dying trees in the affected areas within its service territory. The company is committed to performing its work as quickly and safely as possible. The company also is committed to keeping customers and major stakeholders in the affected areas informed of its activities and progress. SCE will also provide useful information to property owners and customers about their roles and responsibilities and how to cope during this long-term tree removal process.
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What is SCE doing about removing the many trees killed by the bark beetle?
SCE maintains a commitment to safety and protecting the environment as we work with local state and governmental agencies (including local fire, police and U.S. department of forestry agencies) in tree removal efforts. We will continue our collaborative work with these agencies as SCE expects it will be involved with the removal of trees that are dead, dying or diseased, for several more years.
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Tree Removal Impacts & Safety Tips
How will SCE’s tree removal efforts impact my community and my electric service?
In order for our tree removal crews to work safely and efficiently, in some instances it will be necessary to interrupt or shut down some power lines, in some cases more than once and possibly for more than 24 hours. Additionally, because of all the tree removal work expected in the affected areas, residents will have to deal with road closures, increased traffic and noise, worker vehicles, cranes, equipment, etc., while the work is being completed. We will try to notify you of our work activities so you can plan for them in advance. However, you should always be prepared for power outages because we may not always be able to provide advanced notification.
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What should I do if my electric power goes out?
To better cope with any scheduled or unscheduled power outage, we advise our customers to:
• Check on the medical needs of family and friends.
• Use flashlights. Don’t use candles, which if used improperly, can start fires.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible during an outage. A well-filled, unopened freezer will keep food frozen for hours without electricity.
• Turn off all electrical equipment in use at the time of a service interruption, including sensitive electronic components. Leave one light bulb turned on to signal that power has been restored.
• Never connect a portable generator directly to an electrical line. State law requires that customers inform us when a generator is being used at a home or business. Call us at 1-800-655-4555.
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Will customers in the affected communities be notified before planned power outages occur?
We will attempt to notify customers of scheduled tree removals and power outages before work begins. However, it may not be possible to provide advance notification in all instances, particularly in cases involving a significant potential hazard requiring urgent attention.
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Tree Removal on Private Property
Will SCE remove trees on private property?
Yes, we will remove dead or dying trees that could impact our electrical lines, as determined by our inspectors.
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Will SCE send a representative to my property to determine whether dead or dying trees have the ability to damage SCE facilities?
Yes. If you notice newly dead or dying trees on your property that could fall into our electrical lines, please contact us at 1-800-640-3652 and provide your name, address and phone number. We will send an inspector to determine if your tree(s) qualify for SCE removal.
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What is meant by the reference to "trees that could impact our electrical lines?"
Any tree or any part of a tree that could fall into our electrical lines is a tree that could impact our lines. For example, the top portion of a 100-foot-tall tree rooted 70 feet from one of our electrical lines could fall right through the lines in a wind storm.
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Should I wait to have SCE remove dead or dying trees on my property that can impact your electrical lines/facilities?
Removing dead or dying trees on your property is a personal decision each property owner must make. However, SCE will do this for you. Currently, SCE is removing dead or dying trees within approximately 3 weeks from the date we inventory a tree for removal. This timeframe is subject to change based on the tree mortality rate. If however, you elect to have your trees removed by someone other then SCE, you will do so at your cost. SCE recommends that if property owners choose this option, they use only licensed and qualified tree removal contractors to perform this work.
Customers who want us to temporarily drop electrical service wires between a pole and a dwelling or structure while having trees removed should call 1-800-640-3652. There is no charge for this service, but we need a minimum notice of five business days. If you observe a tree in contact with an electrical line that is strung between power poles, please call us.
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How do I find a qualified arborist?
There are qualified arborists listed in the Yellow Pages and at reputable nurseries. The best way to ensure that you are dealing with a licensed arborist tree removal company is to contact the state licensing board at 1-800-321-2752 or www.cslb.ca.gov to confirm the company's license number and length of professional experience.
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How will I know which trees SCE will remove?
SCE continually compiles an inventory of all dead or dying trees that are taller than their horizontal distance from our facilities. We are removing the trees as quickly as possible after they are inventoried. Prior to the tree removal, an SCE representative will attempt to notify properly owners or residents to inform them about their upcoming tree removal(s). If no one is home, a door hanger will be left with the name and phone number of the SCE representative who marked the trees.
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Why are your foresters videotaping or filming my trees?
Though it may appear that way, our foresters really aren’t videotaping or filming trees. What you are seeing are foresters using instruments to calculate and measure the height of trees and their distance from our electrical lines, as part of our inventory process. This must be done if we are to accurately identify and remove those dead or dying trees that could impact our electrical lines.
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How do I get on the list to have my trees that will impact SCE electrical lines removed by SCE?
You really don’t have to do anything. SCE conducts passes through all of the affected areas on a routine basis to inventory dead and dying trees. If you have dead or dying trees on your property, your trees will be included in the inventory. However, if you want to contact us regarding a dead or dying tree that could fall onto our electrical facilities, you can call 1-800-640-3652 and ask us to inspect it.
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How long will it take SCE to remove all of the trees that could impact its lines?
This is very difficult to say as tree removal is a function of several factors, including forest health, drought conditions and bark beetle infestation. As trees continue to die, we expect this effort to take years to complete.
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Will SCE replace the trees it removes?
Our primary focus is reducing the potential hazards posed by so many dead and dying trees threatening our electrical lines. However, we are willing and able to assist community and agency programs in identifying the types of trees that could be replanted near electrical lines in the affected areas. For those customers planning to plant trees, we prefer to see more small-stature trees in the developed areas around our facilities. Any replanting should be done according to the recommendations of state and federal foresters. For information on the best types of trees to plant around electrical lines, go to the Recommended Trees section of sce.com.
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I just received a notice of a planned outage in my neighborhood. The timing is not good for me. How do I get it changed?
That won’t be possible, since SCE coordinates its tree removal efforts with local, state, and federal agencies. We will work as quickly as possible to minimize the inconvenience.
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Why won’t SCE remove all of my trees?
On April 3, 2003, the CPUC ordered SCE to remove only those trees that pose a potential hazard to our electrical lines. Due to the hundreds of thousands of trees to be removed and strict removal schedules, our crews are not able to remove trees that do not pose a threat to our electrical lines.
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When SCE crews are on my property removing trees that could impact its electrical lines, can you remove my other trees if I pay for the removal?
For the reasons stated in the previous answer, we cannot work out such arrangements. You will need to secure the tree trimming and removal services of an experienced, qualified arborist.
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Does SCE’s removal of trees on private property relieve the property owner of any responsibility or legal obligation before the tree is removed?
No. Property owners continue to be responsible for their trees in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.
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What will SCE do with trees it removes?
SCE’s tree removal contractor will dispose of all timber and residue quickly and efficiently.
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Would SCE leave the felled wood on my property for firewood if I ask?
No, we will not leave felled wood behind. Any felled dead wood left behind would represent a potential fire hazard.
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Tree Removal Reimbursements
I removed trees from my property. Can I get reimbursed for my tree removal costs?
No. The Property Owner Tree Removal Reimbursement program was terminated effective May 29, 2008. SCE can no longer accept or process requests for tree removal reimbursement.
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SCE’s Tree Removal Contractor
Who is Southern California Edison’s contractor for tree removals in the bark beetle-infested areas?
Southern California Edison’s contractor for tree removals is Phillips & Jordan (P&J), a Knoxville, Tennessee-based general and specialty contractor with more than 50 years of experience and a worldwide reputation. P&J was named the National Civil Works Construction Contractor of the Year 2002 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for its performance as a prime contractor for the World Trade Center Forensic Recovery Operation following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. P&J has standing contracts for disaster recovery work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 21 states, including California.
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How was Phillips & Jordan (P&J) chosen as Southern California Edison’s contractor for tree removals in the bark beetle-infested areas?
We solicited bids from 37 contractors to remove trees. Fifteen contractors submitted proposals. All were evaluated on a technical and commercial basis. A contract was awarded to P&J because of its proven track record and its extremely competitive bid.
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