Right-of-Way Safety
What is a right-of-way?
A right-of-way is the land area needed to build, operate, inspect, and maintain electric lines and equipment. In many cases, this land is on private property and is maintained through an easement or other legal agreement.
Why it matters
Without enough clear space, trees and brush can grow into lines, slow restoration work, damage equipment, and increase the risk of outages or injury.
What members may notice
You may see crews trimming limbs, mowing underbrush, removing hazard trees, or maintaining access paths near power lines. In some areas, selective herbicide treatments may also be used as part of an integrated vegetation management program.
Why cooperatives trim trees and manage vegetation
Vegetation management is a routine and necessary part of delivering safe, reliable electric service. Power lines need adequate clearance from trees, limbs, brush, and other growth that can contact energized equipment or block access during outages and emergencies.
Improve reliability
Trees, limbs, and fast-growing vegetation can trigger blinks, outages, and damage during everyday conditions and severe weather. Proactive trimming reduces interruptions before they happen.
Protect public safety
Branches in contact with power lines can energize trees and create serious hazards. Keeping clear space around electric lines and equipment helps protect families, contractors, and co-op crews.
Support faster restoration
Clear rights-of-way help lineworkers safely access poles, wires, and equipment so outages can be located and restored more quickly.
What vegetation management may include
Routine maintenance
- Trimming trees and limbs near overhead lines
- Managing brush and undergrowth in rights-of-way
- Maintaining clearance around poles, guy wires, and electrical equipment
- Using qualified line-clearance contractors and utility arborists
Long-term reliability work
- Re-clearing lines on an ongoing cycle
- Addressing dead, diseased, leaning, or otherwise hazardous trees
- Using selective vegetation control methods where appropriate
- Preserving access for routine maintenance and storm restoration
Important: Specific practices can vary by cooperative, terrain, easements, local conditions, and the type of line or equipment involved. Members should always contact their local electric cooperative with questions about work taking place on their property.
How members can help
Plant smart
Choose the right tree for the right place, especially near overhead lines and pad-mounted equipment.
Look up first
Never trim or remove trees near power lines yourself.
Call 811
Before digging near underground equipment, always contact South Carolina 811.
Report hazards
Let your cooperative know about limbs, leaning trees, or vegetation that may threaten electric lines.
Never work near energized lines
Always assume overhead power lines are energized and dangerous. Do not climb trees near lines, attempt to trim limbs touching lines, or use ladders or equipment near overhead conductors.
Keep equipment accessible
Do not block pad-mounted transformers, meters, poles, or other utility equipment with fencing, landscaping, or structures that restrict access during maintenance or outages.
Need tree work near a service line? Contact your local cooperative before starting. In some cases, the co-op may be able to advise on safe next steps or coordinate service disconnection and reconnection during planned work.
Educational videos about right-of-way
Frequently asked questions
A right-of-way is a designated strip of land where electric cooperatives build and maintain power lines. This space allows crews to safely install, inspect and repair equipment while keeping adequate clearance from trees, structures and other obstacles.
Questions about vegetation management in your area?
Your local electric cooperative is the best source for information about tree trimming schedules, easements, service lines, hazard tree concerns, and property-specific questions.
This page is intended as a statewide educational resource for members served by South Carolina’s electric cooperatives. Local vegetation management policies, notification practices, contractor procedures, and debris handling may differ by cooperative.