KXAN (AUSTIN) – A federal law to lower inflation and create jobs provides an additional resource to Austin’s tree-cutting efforts after the winter storm that left thousands of people without power.
During the onset of winter in early February, trees froze and branches snapped under the weight of the ice. These branches fell on cars, houses and power lines.
Austin Energy is the only city department responsible for trimming the branches surrounding the city’s power infrastructure.
How much cut is necessary?
A department spokesman told KXAN that there were 2,400 miles of power lines that needed trimming.
Crews are unable to negotiate all 2,400 miles of power lines each year. Instead, teams work cyclically to prune trees.
According to Austin Energy, hundreds of miles of power lines are planned for tree trimming each year. These lines run through between 9,000 and 12,000 properties.
The utility has earmarked $17.5 million for tree felling services in its annual budget. This money goes to three contractors: Asplundh, Davey Tree Surgery, Wright Tree Service and Davey Resource Group-Work Planning.
The goal of the tree felling services is to keep branches off power lines for seven years. Austin Energy spokesman says extreme weather could cause unforeseen problems. During the winter storm, trees that were within 15 feet of power lines fell or uprooted on power infrastructure, the utility said.
The utility is also working with private homeowners to prevent trees from getting too close to power lines.
Additional help in inflation law
The Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Biden in August 2022 could provide additional funding for tree-cutting efforts.
The law provided $1.5 billion for the U.S. Forest Service’s Urban and Community Forestry program. The goal of the program is to provide cities and states with funding to expand urban forests across the country.
Joel Pannell, vice president of urban forest policy at American Forests, a national nonprofit, says the funds are also being used to care for trees. This includes pruning trees around power lines.
Pannell thinks Austin could get a piece of that $1.5 billion pie.
“If they have identified maintenance as a priority then I think that should be reflected in their proposal and it will be a very competitive proposal that can be funded in partnership with the Forest Service,” explained Pannell.
The US Forest Service is currently only accepting program proposals from states and territories, but Pannell says the department will begin accepting proposals from cities and localities as early as the spring.
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