Does Empire have the right to cut landowner’s trees?
A. Empire owns a rights-of-way easement along the length of the transmission line. Width varies by transmission line. Empire’s rights within the easement include the right to construct, reconstruct, operate, maintain, and patrol the transmission line. These rights apply to both occupied and unoccupied ROWs. Rights usually reserved to the landowner include the right to cultivate, occupy, and use the land for any purpose that does not conflict with Empire’s use of its easement. In order to avoid potential conflicts, it is Empire’s policy to review all proposed uses within the transmission line rights-of-way easement. In such reviews we consider the safety of the public, the safety of our employees, and the ability to operate and maintain the line.
