Why does PPL Electric Utilities use herbicides on its rights of way?
PPL Electric Utilities uses herbicides in careful combination with natural, biological controls to maintain the vegetation in our rights of way. Only trees that will grow tall enough to interfere with the overhead power lines are treated. To better target these trees, all herbicides are applied selectively by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture certified contractors working on the ground with hand-held equipment. The lower-growing trees and shrubs are preserved as much as possible, since they provide natural competition for the tall-growing species of trees. This low-growing plant community also provides ideal habitat for wildlife that feeds on saplings of many of the tall-growing species. The combined effects of the plant competition and wildlife activity help minimize the herbicides needed to ensure safe and reliable electric lines.
