Safe construction and maintenance practices

Great River Energy’s transmission lines are built and maintained to meet or exceed safety standards, such as those specified by the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC). Ensuring safety and reliability is our highest priority.

How do I know the lines are safe?

Again, our lines are built and maintained to the standards mentioned above. Every effort is made to ensure safety in construction, operation and maintenance of transmission lines. Lines and line infrastructure are designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. Protective devices such as at line terminals stop the electricity flow under abnormal operating circumstances.

How do you monitor the safety of the line?

Great River Energy follows strict transmission line maintenance standards. We inspect lines six times by air each year and once by ground to look for:

• Tall-growing trees within the right of way area
• Equipment needing repair or replacement
• Right of way encroachments which are hazardous to safety and reliability
• Anything that might jeopardize safe, reliable operation of the line

We may need to visit the right of way area for these inspections but visits will be minimal and landowners will be contacted prior to inspections or maintenance. However, in cases of emergency, we may be unable to contact you first.