Item 14: Vegetation Management Program ppt — original pdf

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Item 14 Austin Energy Operational Update Q2 FY19 Electric Utility Commission Charles Dickerson Chief Operating Officer, Austin Energy Formerly Item 25, May 13, 2019 © 2018 Austin Energy Note: This is an excerpt of the Q2FY19 Update pertaining to the Vegetation Management Program 1 Austin Energy Operational Update Vegetation Management Program 2 Austin Energy Vegetation Management Program Barrier to Prudency: Risk of Wildfire “We recognize that more must be done to adapt to and address the increasing threat of wildfires and extreme weather in order to keep our customers and communities safe,” said John Simon, PG&E Interim Chief Executive (WSJ – 2/28/19) 3 Austin Energy - Vegetation Management Program Barriers to Prudency: Inadequate trim clearances and heavy tree regrowth Northwest (Balcones Woods) Southwest (South Lamar) Northeast (Windsor Park) Travis County Rainfall *: Years with >20 weeks of severe, extreme or exceptional drought: 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 *National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) program OUR AREA 4 Austin Energy - Vegetation Management Program Achieving prudency: Increase clearances AE’s pre-2006 pruning clearances: Fast growing species – 11 to 13 ft. Slow growing species – 7 to 9 ft. AE’s CURRENT pruning clearances: Fast growing species - 8 ft. Slow growing species - 4 ft. AE’s NEW pruning clearances: Fast growing species - 11 to 15 ft. Slow growing species – 7 to 10 ft. • Clearances for 2-3 year cycle • With no range of clearances, flexibility in the field reduced field • Clearances for 4-5 year cycle • Range of clearances for flexibility in • Compliant with International Society of Arboriculture Standards • Compliant with City’s tree preservation ordinances 5 Austin Energy - Vegetation Management Program Achieving prudency: Streamline Customer Notifications • SIMPLIFY: owners plan • IMPROVE: • Benchmark best customer notification practices with other utilities • Reduce steps that require multiple vehicle trips to properties and multiple attempts to reach property • Examine surveys to determine customer priorities for improving communications • For properties that do not require a tree removal, eliminate property owner sign-off on vegetation work • Conduct multi-channel customer communications – pruning schedule on website, door hangers and mail • Continue providing detailed vegetative work plan • Continue Customer Refusal Process when Customer Consultation unsuccessful • Reduce lead time between initial customer notification and performance of work • Current lead time is between 30 and 60 days (the disinterested customer drives the schedule) • Reduce lead time to 10 to 14 days • Focus attention on property owners who request Customer Consultation • Kick-off communication plan that includes Public Service Announcements 6 Austin Energy Operational Update Line Clearance Contract Approach 7 Austin Energy - Vegetation Management Contracts Current Contracts Vegetation Management (Line Clearance) Distribution Line Clearance (pruning Transmission Line Clearance * & Pre-Planning) (pruning & Pre-Planning) North* South* *Energized Line Clearance Work Current Contracts - 8 Austin Energy – Vegetation Management Contracts Planned Contract Strategy & Opportunities Vegetation Management (Line Clearance & Other) Distribution Line Clearance (Pruning) Streetlight & Nightwatchman* (Lower-Voltage line clearance work - below 600V, 3 years experience) CIP, Mid-Cycle & Ticket Pruning * (System-Wide) Maintenance Pruning* (South) Maintenance Pruning* (North) Transmission Line Clearance* (Pruning and Pre-Planning) Tree – Growth Regulator Program Tree – Replacement & Planting Pre-Planning (All Distribution Vegetation Management Work) *Energized Line Clearance Work Contracts – shown in color 9 Austin Energy - Vegetation Management SUMMATION • IMPLEMENT new tree pruning CLEARANCES • IMPROVE COMMUNICATIONS with Customers • Broader and more timely communication of tree pruning schedule and plans • Focus attention on property owners who request Customer Consultations • Provide Public Service Announcements • IMPROVE PROCESSES by reducing lead time and multiple vehicle trips • IMPLEMENT PLANNED CONTRACT STRATEGY by adding contracts for services requiring varying types and levels of experience • RCA in June for one-year extension of Distribution Line Clearance contracts • Develop and issue solicitations, including experience-building line clearance work, during FY20 10