Ways to improve system reliability

KEM Electric Cooperative is committed to providing reliable electric services to our members. To ensure our electrical infrastructure is performing properly, the cooperative conducts pole testing and vegetation control across the system.

Pole testing

Utility poles, like any infrastructure exposed to extreme weather conditions, can begin to deteriorate over time, both externally and internally. To ensure the safety and reliability of the utility poles, KEM Electric tests poles on a rotation. Testing also allows us to find poles that are an issue and replace them before they begin to fail.

This spring, KEM Electric tested around 4,000 utility poles, with a little more than 1% failure rate. This is a lower rate than past years. Once utility poles are flagged for replacement, the operations and engineering department creates a plan for upgrades or replacement. The cooperative will continue to test utility poles as the weather allows and plans to test an additional 3,000 before the end of the year.

Tree trimming

KEM Electric continues to work with contractors for vegetation management as the weather allows. Trimming trees around overhead lines helps improve service reliability and keeps members safe. Overgrown trees and branches are a leading cause of power outages. By routinely conducting vegetative management, KEM Electric can reduce related outages.

Pole testing and tree trimming are just a few of the ways KEM Electric is committed to maintaining reliable electric services for you, our members. If you notice anything that doesn’t look quite right on electrical infrastructure near you, such as trees growing too close to the power line or a leaning pole, give us a call at the office, so we can have a crew assess the potential issue.