In recent years, outages have been caused by more than winter storms. Although Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC) does all it can to prevent outages, they do happen. When they do, PSREC works to restore power as quickly as possible.
With the California wildfire season becoming longer and more destructive, PSREC has increased its vegetation management programs, adding to already robust practices.
PSREC does vegetation management, monitoring, maintenance, and repair along its infrastructure. PSREC’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan aims to minimize sources of ignition, strengthen the resiliency of the electric grid, and minimize unnecessary or ineffective actions.
The plan is reviewed and updated annually, and presented to the cooperative’s board of directors.
Vegetation management techniques include pruning, trimming, topping, and removing vegetation that presents a risk to the power infrastructure. Plumas- Sierra conducts vegetation management procedures within and adjacent to its rights of way, easements, and facilities to address imminent risks in the right of way.
Future risks, such as trees with compromised structural integrity, are also evaluated. PSREC must be able to contact members if a tree on or near their property needs to be removed.
Additionally, Plumas-Sierra has increased tree trimming this year to accommodate work being completed for the numerous grants Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications was granted to bring high-speed broadband internet to the area. This work will be ongoing throughout the winter months.
Depending on the weather, PSREC typically begins its tree trimming and vegetation management programs in early spring.
Pole clearing is April 1 through June 30. Please keep contact information up to date with Plumas-Sierra, especially when it comes to your cooperative being able to contact you regarding emergencies and outages. Many members have landline numbers on file that must be updated with cellphone numbers.
PSREC’s outage notification system provides localized outage information to members via text and email. To view up-to-date outage information or report an outage, log in to the PSREC SmartHub app or on our website.
Report all outages, day or night, at (530) 832-4261 or through the app.