A report commissioned by the Public Utility Commission of Texas recommends a relatively inexpensive means of protecting the city’s utility lines: trim back dead and diseased trees — even those on private property.
The article in the Houston Chronicle notes that the report argues that 96% of all damage to the city’s utility company’s infrastructure was the result of high winds and broken trees, and that much of that damage could have been avoided if the utility were more aggressive in removing risky trees.
Interestingly, the report also recommends that commercial buildings be equipped with back-up power systems (solar or natural gas) that could serve as “electrical islands” during recovery.
Has your community tried this? Do you think it should? Let’s hear your thoughts.
(read “One answer to hurricane power woes: trimmed trees” from The Houston Chronicle.