PECO inspecting 39,000 poles
PECO is investing $1.1 million to perform the inspections, which will continue through the spring.
Inspections, which will be performed by an independent contractor, include a visual examination of poles and the electrical equipment attached, and taking samples from the poles interior and excavating around the base to check for decay. Necessary repairs and replacements are performed based on the inspection results.
After completing a 10-year inspection cycle last year, PECO is starting another 10-year cycle of wood pole inspections this year. Over the course of this cycle, PECO will inspect more than 387,000 poles across the region.
“Continuous monitoring, inspection, repair and replacement of equipment on our electric system is crucial to ensuring that our customers receive the safe and reliable service they expect and deserve,” said John McDonald, vice president of Technical Services.
“Preventative maintenance programs, such as our pole inspection initiative, help to reduce the frequency and duration of outages, improve the performance of our entire system, and keep our customers and crews safe.”
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BC Hydro had asked for the three per cent increase, but, last year, Energy Minister Michelle Mungall directed the Crown corporation to resubmit its request in order to meet an NDP election promise.
"After years of escalating electricity costs, British Columbians deserve a break on their bills," she said at the time.
However, the utilities commission found there was "insufficient regulatory justification to approve…
