FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is implementing proactive aerial inspections of nearly 7,000 miles of transmission lines across its service territory to ensure the uninterrupted and safe supply of power. The company is using helicopters equipped with infrared technology for these inspections, which are designed to keep high-voltage power lines and equipment clear of trees and vegetation.
Scheduled from May to mid-September, the aerial vegetation management inspections will take place in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and New York. The helicopters will fly approximately 300 to 400 feet above the transmission lines at speeds between 25 and 35 miles per hour.
The helicopters are fitted with light detection and ranging (LiDAR) units, a technology FirstEnergy has been utilizing for vegetation management inspections since 2016. These units use a laser’s infrared light to measure distances between transmission lines and vegetation. This allows them to confirm that lines are clear or identify potential issues that cannot be observed during regular visual inspections. If any clearance concerns are identified by the helicopter patrols, ground crews will follow up for further inspection or resolution.
Shawn Standish, FirstEnergy’s Director of Vegetation Management said: “This cutting-edge technology helps to ensure that we are keeping our transmission lines clear of potential interference across our service territory, which is critical to protecting our system and maintaining the delivery of safe, reliable power to our customers.”
The helicopter pilots will communicate with local airports when they are in their air space. However, due to regulations around raptor nesting, inspections in New Jersey will not commence before July 29. Inclement weather could potentially impact flight schedules and extend the timeline of the inspections.
FirstEnergy remains committed to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. More information about FirstEnergy can be found online at www.firstenergycorp.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp.
