Clark Public Utilities has been providing safe, affordable and reliable power to the residents of Clark County for over 75 years. A key component of that reliability has been our vegetation management program. We believe that trees are an important part of what makes Clark County a beautiful place to live.

We take a proactive approach to vegetation management near our power lines and electrical facilities. But we cannot be everywhere at once. That is why we believe that our customers are an important part in our ability to address problems that may pose a threat to our power supply system. Customer input, combined with regularly scheduled right-of-way maintenance, help to ensure that our power system is as safe and reliable as possible.

We also believe that providing our customers with information and education that helps them make the right landscaping choices near power lines and electrical devices will help prevent future problems, for both our customers and line crews, when maintenance needs to be performed.

Right of Way Maintenance

Trees contacting the power lines are the leading cause of power outages on our system. That is why we do everything we can to find a healthy balance between our appreciation for trees, and our obligation to provide safe and reliable electric service. Through our regularly scheduled tree- trimming program, we redirect tree growth away from power lines to help limit damage that may occur due to extreme weather.

Vegetation Clearances

Clark Public Utilities spends approximately $1.4 million a year on its vegetation management program. Our licensed and bonded contractors are professionals at right-of-way maintenance. They clear and trim all trees that are within 10 feet of overhead power lines to help ensure the reliability of our electrical system.

The ultimate goal of our right-of-way maintenance program is shown in the graphic below.

We realize that this is not always possible due to existing vegetation, and is why we work together with our customers to get as close to the ideal trim as we can. There are times when trees outside of the right-of-way pose a threat to electrical service. In the case of these “danger trees”, we will contact the customer so that we can work together to remove them. That is also why we need your help in identifying potential danger trees and right-of-way issues.

How You Can Help

With over 135 miles of transmission lines, and almost 1,500 miles of distribution lines, we cannot always see when potential danger presents itself. That is why we ask that if you see a tree or vegetation encroaching upon, or posing a threat to our facilities and right of way, to please fill out a Tree Trim Request Form. There you will be asked a few questions that will help us to assess the situation and respond accordingly.

We realize that this is not always possible due to existing vegetation, and is why we work together with our customers to get as close to the ideal trim as we can. There are times when trees outside of the right-of-way pose a threat to electrical service. In the case of these “danger trees”, we will contact the customer so that we can work together to remove them. That is also why we need your help in identifying potential danger trees and right-of-way issues.

Plan Ahead

If you are planning to do some landscaping, or even plant a tree, we ask that you keep some things in mind:

  • Call 811 before you dig
  • Trees and shrubs can be a problem for overhead and underground facilities.
  • Look up to see if there are overhead lines above or near your planting site.
  • Look around to see if there are green metal or fiberglass boxes that shouldn’t be planted near.

For more information on the best species of trees to plant near overhead power lines, and how to plan your landscaping around our underground facilities, check out out list of approved trees to plant near power lines.

Tree-Based Energy Conservation

Planting the right trees in the right places conserves energy and reduces your energy bills. Properly placed trees save energy by providing summer shade, winter warmth and winter windbreaks.

  • Summer Benefits: Shade from trees reduces air conditioning needs and makes non-air conditioned homes more comfortable. Consider planting smaller deciduous or evergreen trees with lower limbs northwest and northeast of the building to provide late afternoon and early morning shade.
  • Winter Benefits: Trees can reduce energy use for heating by blocking cold winter winds. Effective windbreak trees have crowns that extend to the ground and branches that keep their foliage in winter (evergreens). Junipers, spruces, firs, and evergreen shrubs are good choices for wind protection.

For more information on the benefits of trees in energy conservation please visit Arborday.org by clicking, https://www.arborday.org/trees/climatechange/summershade.cfm

Additional Services

  • Free Tree Assessment: Once your Tree Assessment Request form has been processed. A CPU Vegetation Specialist will come out and assess your vegetation needs.
  • Free Secondary Line Drop: We will send out a CPU Serviceman free of charge to disconnect your secondary service line (line from pole to house) so the you or your contractor can safely trim vegetation that has encroached on the lines.
  • Free Safety Trim: In preparation for your tree pruning or removal we will provide a safety trim to ensure there is at least 10 feet of clearance away from the energized primary electrical lines.