As winter months approach, Lower Valley Energy (LVE) has been focusing on projects that need to be addressed before snow flies. Among those projects include tree-trimming and underground line work.

LVE CEO Bear Prairie said the utility is currently in a “fall construction frenzy” as contractors and builders work to finish projects before the winter.

“We are definitely in the fall construction frenzy with all the contractors and builders and everybody is going, oh, winter’s coming. Let’s hurry up and get everything done,” Prairie said.

Prairie spoke on some of the undergrounding crossings LVE is currently working. “We’re doing some undergrounding work for cable replacements throughout the system and also continue to be very conscientious and getting ahead on our vegetation management work this year.”

Vegetation Management

Prairie also shared how LVE is focusing efforts on trimming back vegetation in the community that are or could be a problem in the near future. Focusing efforts on this will allow LVE to have a proactive cycle-trimming schedule in the future, rather than responding to preventative incidents of trees that have grown into power lines.

“So we can come back every three to four years and hit everything in a cycle,” Prairie said. “It’s way more cost effective and way safer. Trimming increases reliability. When we get those branches that are shooting up into power lines, it causes those trips and bumps on the electric system that nobody likes.”

Vegetation management is also important to help prevent any wildfires near and inside the national forest.

“Fire risk is becoming ever more a risk and, we want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can for community safety,” Prairie said.

Residents who have trees near power lines are encouraged to contact LVE if they are concerned about a tree becoming a problem.

“If there’s a tree that’s near a power line, you see, you know, something in like getting close up, give us a call,” Prairie said.

Natural Gas

With increased installation of natural gas lines, Prairie has stated the importance of being aware of safety precautions surrounding natural gas.

It is important to call ahead of digging on property with potential lines underground. Prairie said residents should call 811 before digging. The free service can prevent unnecessary stresses of hitting any lines underground.

“Natural gas is different than propane,” Prairie said, explaining that natural gas is lighter than air and tends to rise and dissipate, while propane is heavier than air and can settle in low areas.

“With natural gas, evacuate the immediate area and stay upwind because it will carry with the wind and work its way upward into the atmosphere and dissipate where it won’t be a flame risk,” Prairie said. “So move upwind, call 911.”

During a recent training for first responders, an attendee asked how far an evacuation should be. According to Prairie, half a block should be fine, moving upwind from the leak, if it is a natural gas line.

More than 40 firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel and dispatchers attended the training, which included demonstrations using LVE’s safety trailer.

Prairie said residents should not hesitate to report the smell of natural gas, even if they are unsure whether it represents an emergency.

If you aren’t sure if it a natural gas leak, Prairie encourages you to call LVE to come and check it. “Don’t be afraid to call us and just be like, ‘hey, I kind of smell something, maybe it’s gas.’ Give us a call,” Prairie said. “We’ll go get it researched.”

LVE also recently completed a drone inspection of the overhead power line serving Bondurant, Cora and Kendall, identifying a few additional repairs needed after crews worked on the line this spring and summer. Those repairs will be completed in the coming weeks as LVE prepares for winter.

The utility is also continuing undergrounding projects on the Hoback line and at the Gros Ventre River crossing, with permitting and the shortening construction season affecting some work.