READING, Pa., Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- To help
enhance the reliability of its system, Metropolitan Edison Company
(Met-Ed), a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utility, has inspected
more than 16,400 wooden utility poles this year for signs of wear,
insect infestation or damage from motor vehicle accidents as part
of the company's annual inspection program. As a result of
the inspections, the company expects to replace or repair nearly
100 wooden utility poles this year, which would stretch nearly a
mile if laid end to end.
A standard 40-foot wooden distribution pole typically is
expected to last more than 50 years. The most common utility
pole is made from a Southern Yellow Pine tree and costs about
$400.
"Met-Ed's pole inspection and replacement program is designed to
help enhance service reliability for our customers," said
Ed Shuttleworth, regional president,
Met-Ed. "While certainly durable, these poles are subject to
damage from severe weather, falling trees, and traffic
accidents. Met-Ed's 342,000 utility poles are vital to the
delivery of electricity to homes and businesses in our service
area. Over time, some poles need to be replaced or repaired
to help ensure reliable operations."
Typically, specialized contractors perform the pole inspections.
As part of the process, a visual inspection is completed,
along with checking the pole to determine if the interior is
sound. Poles also can be reinforced rather than
replaced. One of the most common reinforcement techniques is
to snug a C-shaped steel beam against the pole, jackhammer the beam
into the ground, and secure it to the pole with tight, metal
bands.
All wood poles throughout the 15-county Met-Ed service territory
are inspected on a 12-year cycle. Inspections began in
January and continued through summer, with the remaining pole
replacements and repairs scheduled to be completed during the
fall.
Year-to-date, Met-Ed has inspected more than 16,400 wooden poles
in and around the following communities:
- Easton – 775
- Gettysburg – 529
- Hanover – 280
- Lebanon – 2,563
- Reading – 541
- York – 9,035
- Stroudsburg – 2,708
Met-Ed serves approximately 560,000 customers in 15 Pennsylvania
counties. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met Ed and on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational
excellence. Its 10 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 more than 24,000 miles
of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or
online at www.firstenergycorp.com.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.