FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 12, 2023 – Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is committed to balancing the importance of trees in our environment with the safe and reliable delivery of energy. I&M will begin tree trimming near high voltage transmission lines next week in southwest Michigan using an aerial saw.
The work is routine maintenance to remove overhanging or encroaching branches that can interfere with reliable energy delivery. I&M is contracting with Aerial Solutions Inc. to perform the work using a helicopter-based saw. The saw is suspended beneath a helicopter by a vertical boom with multiple blades attached. Aerial trimming is faster and more easily reaches off-road areas than traditional trimming.
The aerial trimming is scheduled to begin early the week of May 15 and continue for two or three weeks, weather permitting. The helicopter will fly near transmission lines in the Michigan counties of Cass, St. Joseph and Van Buren between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 80% of its energy delivered in 2022 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 6,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2032. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com