Vegetation Safety
Tree trimming
Trimming trees near electrical equipment is dangerous — it’s never a do-it-yourself job. Electricity can jump from the lines to your body, your tools, or nearby branches, causing injury or even death.
If you see trees growing near our lines or facilities, request tree-care service online or call us at 888-554-4732, Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A service order will be issued, and a PEC forester will contact you and send a crew to safely clear the vegetation.
Tree care
Branches too close to electrical equipment can cause power outages as well as fires and other dangers. We work to prevent those hazards through an active tree-care program. Our qualified specialists safely remove overgrown vegetation 10 feet from electrical lines, working through our service area on a three- to five-year rotation. We also take precautions to guard against property damage, unnecessary tree loss, and oak wilt.
Pad-mounted transformers
In areas with underground electric service, do not plant shrubs or other vegetation around pad-mounted transformers or otherwise hide or block access. Obstructions near this equipment will make maintenance work hazardous and difficult for crews and may increase outage times.
Ten feet of clearance is needed in front of equipment so crews can safely open it, and 5 feet on each side allows easy access. Some larger pad-mounted electrical equipment require 10 feet of clearance in the front and back.
Call Texas811 before you dig
When planning to dig 16 inches or deeper, state law requires that you call 811 or sign in to the Texas811 Portal and submit your location at least 48 hours in advance to locate underground electric lines.
Ask for ID
Questions about someone on your property? All PEC crews and contractors carry ID — just ask, or call PEC Member Services at 1-888-554-4732 to verify their identity.