Brush Spraying

Why does MEC spray overgrown brush? 

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends consistent brush control practices for the following reasons. 

• RELIABILITY: Overgrown brush can cause outages when it comes into contact with power lines. 
• SAFETY: It can also obstruct our equipment, creating a danger to your family and our crews.
• OUTAGE RESTORATION: Obstructed lines lead to more difficult repairs and longer outages. 

What is MEC’s process? 

• We remove all brush within 15 feet of both sides of our high-voltage power lines. These are the lines hanging on power poles that run from house to house. 
• We do NOT clear brush near your service line. This is the line that connects the transformer (the gray cylinder on the power pole) to the electric meter on your property. 
• We mow, cut, and apply herbicides if necessary. The herbicides we use are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency for utility usage. We do not spray visibly maintained yard areas or gardens.  

How does MEC protect natural habitats when spraying? 

• We target aggressive, invasive vegetation to encourage low-growing native grasses, which provide sources for feeding, nesting, breeding, and protection.  
• We don’t spray within 10 feet of water. 
• Spraying encourages deep root growth to reduce the amount of open land and runoff, and it causes significantly less disturbance compared to mechanical clearing.