GRE Frequently Asked Questions

What information does Great River Energy need before it can make a decision regarding any activity within a power line right-of-way area?

Great River Energy needs the following information to make an informed decision regarding any activity within the power line right-of-way area:

The pole number obtained from the pole nearest to the area in question. Pole numbers can be found on a steel plate located approximately 10 feet from the ground on most structures.

The legal description of the location (Section, Township, Range, County and Lot and Block, if applicable).

A detailed drawing showing the approximate distance from the proposed project to the power line and nearest power poles. The drawing should also include a North Arrow.

An easement is a document signed by the landowner granting an interest in real property for a specific use. A transmission line easement, for example, grants Great River Energy the right to build, operate and maintain a transmission line. Once a transmission line easement is granted, it generally lasts for the life of the line. The landowner still owns and can use the property upon which the line is located, except for the rights granted to Great River Energy.

The actual strip of land or corridor acquired for a specific purpose, such as a transmission line or roadway corridor.

What easement rights does Great River Energy have on a transmission line right-of-way?

Great River Energy’s easement rights allow for the construction, operation and maintenance of its lines. This includes the right to enter the easement area to remove or trim trees. It also includes the right to remove or trim trees adjacent to the right-of-way that threaten the line due to their height or condition. Great River Energy takes precautions to avoid damage to fences, crops and other private property. Great River Energy will pay reasonable compensation for damages that may occur.

Great River Energy lines are generally larger than 33,000 volts (33kV). The power transmitted through these lines does not service residential or commercial properties. Great River Energy is the wholesale power supplier to your local electric cooperative. Your local electric cooperative delivers the electricity to your home or business.

Right-of-way widths vary depending primarily on the power line voltage and pole design. Great River Energy’s standard right-of-way widths generally range from 70 to 160 feet.

Use of the power line right-of-way area is granted to Great River Energy, its successors and assigns, its contractors or agents, for the purpose of constructing, maintaining and accessing the power line. There are no public rights granted in the right-of-way area. Any other access in the right-of-way area requires the property owner’s permission.

Generally no buildings are allowed in Great River Energy’s power line right-of-way. Permission may be granted for certain hardship cases; however, written approval from Great River Energy must be obtained.

Great River Energy’s power lines are designed to National Electric Safety Code and USDA Rural Utilities Service standards. Any relocation of a pole or its supports requires an extensive engineering review to determine if the relocation is feasible. For the purpose of reviewing a relocation request, an initial non-refundable deposit of $500 is required with additional charges billed at an hourly rate. If pole relocation is feasible, all costs for materials, construction, and support help will be the responsibility of the requesting party. Generally the cost to relocate one standard 69,000-volt wood pole structure in line is approximately $5,000.

Great River Energy inspects its lines by air every four weeks. All lines are inspected once a year on the ground. Inspectors check for:

Occasionally, crews may have to enter your property to perform maintenance work. In the event of an emergency, quick and direct access may be necessary for major repair. In this case, you will be contacted as soon as possible after service is restored to settle any damages caused by this emergency maintenance. In any case, you will be compensated for damages that occur during routine or emergency maintenance. Great River Energy normally uses existing field roads with your permission and makes every effort to avoid damaging your property.

Why is it necessary to maintain clearances between power lines and trees, buildings, and antennas?

Because transmission line wires are not insulated and their voltages are high, trees can cause a short circuit. Great River Energy prefers to remove trees and saplings from rights-of-way before they mature. Aspen (popple) is an example of a fast-growing tree that requires frequent attention. Potentially troublesome trees are much less costly to remove when they are small. In addition, line contact with trees or other objects that touch the ground can be dangerous for people nearby and can cause interruption of electric service.

The larger the power line, the more clearance required. Lines vary in size from small (distribution) lines that supply you and your neighbors directly, to the large transmission lines that transport electricity to a substation. On the larger transmission lines, actual contact with other objects may not be necessary to cause interruption of electrical service. High summer temperatures, wind, and icing will cause lines to sag or “blow out,” sometimes as much as five or 10 feet. For these reasons, Great River Energy tries to maintain at least 15 to 25-foot clearances between lines and trees or other objects, depending on the size of the power line.

Great River Energy maintains its “wire zone” (the area directly under the line) clear of all vegetation, to keep an open maintenance corridor and allow for visual inspection of the transmission line. This area is generally 15 feet either side of the centerline.

For the area 15 to 25 feet from the transmission centerline, vegetation maturing to less than 20 feet is allowable. Some examples include amur maple, dogwood, hazelnut, lilac, spirea, cranberry bush, juniper, honey suckle and alder.

For the area 25 feet from the transmission centerline to the outside edge of the right-of-way, the allowable maximum height is equal to the measured distance from the transmission centerline. For example, a tree that matures to 40 feet in height must be planted at least 40 feet from the centerline. Trees that meet this zone’s requirement include crabapple, sumac, arborvitae, three flowered maple, redbud, American wild plum and Princess Kay plum.

Great River Energy uses herbicides as an effective and economical method of controlling tree and brush growth. They are used only where conditions permit and with the property owner’s consent. Great River Energy’s herbicide application methods follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state agency regulations.

Long-distance underground transmission lines are not practical because they are less reliable and because of the high costs involved. These costs are substantially higher than overhead lines because of the differences in the necessary equipment and materials. In addition, failures in underground lines require more time to locate and repair. Although special circumstances, such as airports, may require underground lines for short distances, transmission lines will continue to be built above ground until a more practical and economical method of underground construction and maintenance is developed.

Power lines do not usually interfere with radio or television reception. Most interference is caused by:

• Appliances and equipment within the home as well as faulty receivers.

• Attempting to tune in a weak, distant station makes any interference more noticeable.

• Sometimes an improper connection on the power line can cause interference.

If power line interference does occur, qualified personnel will investigate and solve the problem at Great River Energy’s expense.