Latest news with #powerlines
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Vermont Electric Cooperative will use drones for June inspections
JOHNSON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – People watching the skies in northern Vermont next month might see more than just birds and planes. Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) announced Friday that they will be making use of a fleet of drones to help with inspections of overhead power lines in over half of the towns in their service area. VEC already uses drones in a limited capacity to perform tasks like assessing damage after natural disasters and keeping aerial photographs up to date. They estimate that the drones have saved them $50,000 to $60,000 a year already. Driver arrested after car plows into celebrating Liverpool fans The full list of towns where the drones will be used in inspections in June is on the VEC website. The cooperative has said that the drones will only take pictures of VEC property, and that they are 'committed to protection of privacy'. 'Instead of having to have a damage assessor and walk all those lines… we can cover a lot of ground in a very short amount of time,' said VEC chief operating officer Peter Rossi in a web presentation in March. One disadvantage that the drones have, at least when it comes to responding to natural disaster conditions, is that they can't fly in extreme weather conditions, such as when it's very windy out. But they say that the technology is improving. UVM nurses practice at state-of-the art 'virtual hospital' 'In a storm event, right, you're not going to fly them. In a 40 mile an hour wind or more,' said operations supervisor Shawn Juaire. But, VEC said, they wouldn't likely be able to send a helicopter out in those conditions either, if an aerial view were needed. VEC is able to use the drones through a contract with 3D mapping company Firmatek. The use of drones is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Clinton Township neighbors argue against proposed power lines on 19 Mile Road
The Brief Henry Ford Macomb Hospital needs more power lines for more power. Neighbors say they do not want lines between their homes on 19 Mile Road. CLINTON TWP, Mich. (FOX 2) - Henry Ford Macomb Hospital has expanded its campus and that means it needs more power lines for more power. Neighbors say they do not want the lines installed between their homes on 19 Mile Road. Local perspective Ed Kaczmarek has lived in a condo for 23 years that backs up to a slice of wilderness between his home and 19 Mile Road in Clinton Township. He says "no" to a reported plan to install power lines along his side of the route believing it means saying bye bye to the surrounding nature. "So I'm not happy about it at all," said Kaczmarek. "Plus I understand the property value is going to go way down." What they're saying Clinton Township officials say the additional power project places high transmission lines within 50 feet from the decks of several homes. "As you certainly know, major expansions have occurred at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital, requiring the need for additional power. How that power is provided has become an unnecessary source of division frustration and uncertainty," said Clinton Township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem. The supervisor lobbied the board at Macomb Community College to consider having ITC, the company on the project, use a previously discussed route that keeps the lines away from most homes and businesses. "How do we know that Delcoma Drive is the original route? We have emails that demonstrate as far back as 2021 that both the hospital and ITC were lobbying MCC to grant easements of college-owned property along Delcoma Drive," he continued. The other side ITC tells FOX 2 in a statement, saying that it was Clinton Township that agreed to add the power lines on 19 Mile before backpedaling, even postponing the site approval since last fall. ITC says they are sensitive to those directly impacted by the proposed project and will continue to work in good faith. This is an ongoing discussion. FOX 2 will update this story with more information.
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Maryland residents fighting against land access for controversial electrical grid project
Maryland residents are pushing back against a possible court order that would allow surveyors on their property to assess the controversial Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project (MPRP). A federal judge recently listened to arguments on both sides -- the developers and the landowners -- before making a decision. PSEG Renewable Transmission, a New Jersey-based company, applied for a permit to begin the construction of 70 miles of overhead 500,000-volt power lines connecting an existing transmission line through parts of Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick counties. PSEG then filed for court-ordered access to the properties. PSEG said they must start by completing non-invasive environmental surveys which are standard practice across many industries for any new construction and are required for the permitting process at the federal, state and local level. Awaiting a judge's ruling Susan Euteneuer, who represents the Maryland landowners, said they don't want their rights curtailed. "For a project that really doesn't help the grid, that really impacts their properties without great benefit to Maryland," Euteneuer said. Euteneuer said the judge asked questions during a recent hearing before taking more time to decide. "There are a lot of legal moving parts here with regards to whether or not PSEG has this authority," Euteneuer said. "Then, if it does, what circumstances can it exercise this authority?" Euteneuer said the impact of this project goes beyond the farmers advocating against it. "Some of these farms will no longer exist," Euteneuer said. "The farms that put the food on your table. The farms that develop the food that your family needs." "It's not for Marylanders or the reliability of Maryland." Brandon Hill learned last year that his farm, Rolling Hills Conservation, is in the path of the transmission line project in Baltimore County. "It's going to start at the top of my hill, take out that forest there, which is an old-growth oak forest. It's going to cut across my field here, basically, render this whole field here not usable," Hill said. Hill said the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project will make it difficult to harvest many of the different crops on his farm. "They won't stand being mowed, deforested. That's what a transmission line does," Hill said. PSEG on the filed court order PSEG did not comment on the legal proceedings and referred back to its statement on the Temporary Right of Entry. PSEG said, "A temporary right of entry is not an easement and does not grant permanent property rights or construction rights or obligate the landowner to grant an easement. "Over the past 4 months, the MPRP team has engaged with property owners along the line on multiple occasions requesting access and offering monetary compensation to conduct these surveys. Despite our efforts to engage with property owners and even offer reasonable compensation, we have been unable to gain voluntary access from a sufficient number of property owners that will allow us to conduct these environmental surveys." PSEG added they are willing to "make one more public effort to request property owners to allow MPRP to conduct surveys on their property." Euteneuer said she received an attached order from the judged regarding a supplemental briefing due May 29. Euteneuer added that she filed a Petition to Intervene at the Public Service Commission (PSC) for the Maryland Farm Bureau. She said PSEG opposed it, arguing only landowners should be allowed to be parties. Euteneuer said PSC granted the petition.
Washington Post
17-05-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
Heat, humidity bring thunder, hail, lightning and rain
It was not merely the heat or its frequent companion, the humidity, in D.C. on Friday. It was what they joined to produce, the thunder and the lightning, the wind and the rain. Around the Washington region, trees toppled, blocking roadways and tearing down tangles of power lines. Tens of thousands of utility customers lost electricity. Hailstones rattled on pavements and car roofs.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Hydro wires down in Lakeshore and Belle River
Downed power lines seen in Tilbury, Ont. on May 16, 2025. (Bob Bellacicco/CTV News Windsor)
