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Vegetation Management
How property rights are maintained around transmission structures
Right of Way Required Widths
Dominion Energy is obligated to safely and reliably deliver electricity to the communities we serve. Part of this obligation involves keeping the entire width of the right of way corridor clear of trees, undergrowth, and obstructions. Rights of way widths vary, depending on the type of power structure as well as area terrain.
- Distribution line widths: 30 to 50 feet
- Transmission line widths: 50 to 500 feet
Landscaping/Encroachment Request
Landowners should always be aware of how their landscaping or plantings may affect Dominion Energy’s Easement rights, the safety of the public, and the Company’s Facilities. An Encroachment request for any landscaping or planting request must be submitted in writing.
Without prior written approval by Dominion Energy, any plantings are subject to removal. In some instances, lack of prior written approval may result in the property owner being required to remove the Encroachment at their own expense. Any landscaping requested to be placed on an Easement must have a maturity height of less than ten (10) feet. However, there may be areas within the Right of Way where the mature height must be reduced to ensure proper clearance.
Tree Placement Considerations
There are several considerations when deciding on tree placement:
- Trees which are too tall or planted too close to a power structure can fall onto wires, causing a ground fault, which could cause an electric shock, fire or damage to the equipment.
- If trees are planted within the wire zone, broken wires can fall onto them, causing a fire.
- Wires swing due to wind and can contact trees planted too close to the structure, causing a ground fault, which could cause an electric shock, fire or damage to the equipment.
- Tall growing trees or plants near the right of way width may be removed, significantly trimmed, or treated with herbicides periodically by Dominion Energy, depending upon the urban or rural setting of the right of way.
The planting of selected trees and shrubbery on the Right of Way may be permitted if:
- The plantings conform to the Company’s current vegetation guidelines.
- The landowner understands that the Company assumes no responsibility for trees, shrubs, or other landscaping planted within the Right of Way which may be damaged as a result of construction or maintenance work (including chemical control of brush as an example).
- Special consideration must be made for landscaping and other plantings in underground electric transmission Right of Way. For underground electric transmission Rights of Way, please see Dominion’s Guidelines and Recommended Species for Planting within Dominion Energy Electric Transmission Underground Right of Way.
- Before digging in a Transmission Easement, you should contact your Rights of Way Management Representative.
Rights of Way Management Representative Contact Information:
To learn more about how Dominion Energy maintains the area around powerlines, please go to: