Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

kaosaddi t1_j0gwhpq wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in Power cuts in seven states as deadly winter storm and tornadoes hit US by GroundbreakingGur930

It does if you regulate how far power lines must be away from large trees.

49

Kharnsjockstrap t1_j0hz3b0 wrote

Tbf this is a shit proposition if anyone lives in a lightly forested area and not the solution you think it is.

Without regulation tree falls on power lines. With regulation anyone that lives near trees needs to pay a fuckload extra for power to go through so superficial approval process where the government gets to approve of a transaction between two parties who are already accepting the risk that trees might fall on a line

−7

Millenniauld t1_j0ig4kv wrote

I live in a heavily forested area (the Pine Barrens.) The power company routinely has trimmers come out to cut back any trees that are a threat. Don't know if it's because of a regulation or just cheaper for them to do prevention instead of fixing, but I assure you if they can do it here, they can do it anywhere.

10

Kharnsjockstrap t1_j0in48d wrote

Right they already do this. So if they had to also hire lawyers to navigate a compliance process just to do the same thing they already do then you’d be paying a lot more for power

−3

Millenniauld t1_j0io2uf wrote

Why would they need to hire lawyers? The do the thing. Unless the government making the regulation investigates to figure out if they're doing it "right" AND they're doing it wrong, they don't need the legal process. Also utility companies are HUGE, I assure you they already have an in-house legal team for anything they might need, including compliance disputes.

2

Kharnsjockstrap t1_j0ividz wrote

So no the government doesn’t just tell someone to do a thing when it comes to most regulation.

There is usually a compliance process which requires frequent disclosures as well as audits, an entire lobbying process before hand because without some industry input the government tends to actually do some pretty stupid shit and periodic feedback periods as well. All of this requires man hours for some pretty intelligent and well paid specialists and it doesn’t materialize out of thin air like in some kind of a time paradox. If they’re working on compliance disclosures, lobbying and audit compliance and fixes then they aren’t doing other shit for the company they are still expected to do so the cost is there regardless if they’re on salary or retainer anyway.

So I’ll pose the question again. Why add all this extra cost for trees when the company literally already does it?

−1

Millenniauld t1_j0ix21i wrote

To answer your question directly: Places in the Midwest where the companies DON'T already do it need the regulation in place so that they START. Because red states cut cost and get away with it the way they don't in blue states. Seriously, this isn't rocket science here.

You seem to think these regulations cannot possibly be followed, and you were given examples of how it isn't unreasonable because it is already done in some areas. Then you wanted to say "why do the extra if it is already done," and the answer is that it isn't done everywhere.

New laws to make utilities in areas that DON'T already do it comply with what other places have shown is possible BY doing it already IS a way to reduce treefall damage to powerlines and reduce deaths.

If that isn't clear enough for you, then I can't help you, because you either don't want to understand out of fear or shame of looking bad for being wrong, or because you're deliberately stirring the pot. Either way, I treated you with respect and I tried.

This will be my last response, but I do hope you have a good holiday.

2

Kharnsjockstrap t1_j0j3mzr wrote

So the original conversation was about regulation regarding lines and distance to trees. My post is about regulation not being the solution to everything and pitfalls that can be encountered when assuming it is.

There is no need to be hostile. We agree that regulation in some areas is worthwhile just not to stop damage from falling trees.

Companies will already try to limit damage to lines because that’s a bill they’re going to foot. A useful regulation could be something that ensures they can’t pass the cost of damaged lines onto consumers so they would be more incentivized to clear trees but they are already doing this and it’s usually severe winds that blow shit into the lines and not the lines being built directly under trees anyway. Which may not really be a problem regulation can fix especially not the government creating an arbitrary distance between line and tree lmao.

−3

AmarilloWar t1_j0ik3js wrote

They already do this. The trees on the other side of my fence are on public property, OGE came and cut them all up last summer because they were getting too big. I also notably did not call them to do this, I had no idea they were going to do it, they just showed up and those trees looked vastly different when I got home.

The line running through my yard to my house is my problem, I won't get a ticket for not cutting any tree in my yard but I'll be paying to get my house reconnected if one destroys it.

2

[deleted] t1_j0gx3hl wrote

[deleted]

−50

admon_ t1_j0h1yy9 wrote

They can and do enforce it in most states, its not uncommon to see power companies trim trees on peoples property to protect their infrastructure. The main issue is that there is a huge amount of powerlines that they have to check, so not every area is cleared timely.

32

docmedic t1_j0gyrt1 wrote

They’d bury those lines in that case. Always a work in progress though.

26

Prophet_Tehenhauin t1_j0gzyyp wrote

Nah man, that guy is confident that progress is impossible so we should just give up.

34

Targash t1_j0h4dne wrote

My property has lines running in the back of it. The electric company has right of way for tree trimming back there and every few years they cut the trees back.

That guy can doubt all he wants but it's already something that happens.

24

ArtooFeva t1_j0h6qhz wrote

Governments being unable to enforce reasonable regulation would just be another example of something needing to be fixed.

25

jschubart t1_j0hv695 wrote

What are you taking about? They absolutely can and do enforce that in many places.

10

Dancing_Anatolia t1_j0ht472 wrote

Have you never seen companies trimming trees before? They will show up in a cherry picker and lop off branches that grow too big for their britches.

9

Redoran_simp t1_j0hwjtp wrote

I have literally watched the power company trim trees in front yards to keep them away from lines. You are talking out of your ass.

8

Millenniauld t1_j0iggo1 wrote

Right? I literally live in the Pine Barrens. It IS a forest. Almost never lose power due in part to the utilities coming out and trimming any trees that would be a threat.

2

donnerpartytaconight t1_j0i6wlm wrote

Ohio power companies trim private property trees to maintain a clear right of way around power lines. They come by about every three years. We just had ours done and we have a lot of trees on the street.

3