OAR 860-024-0016
Minimum Vegetation Clearance Requirements

(1)

For purposes of this rule:

(a)

“Readily climbable” means vegetation having both of the following characteristics:

(A)

Low limbs, accessible from the ground and sufficiently close together so that the vegetation can be climbed by a child or average person without using a ladder or other special equipment; and

(B)

A main stem or major branch that would support a child or average person either within arms’ reach of an uninsulated energized electric line or within such proximity to the electric line that the climber could be injured by direct or indirect contact with the line.

(b)

“Vegetation” means trees, shrubs, and any other woody plants.

(c)

“Volts” means nominal voltage levels, measured phase-to-phase.

(2)

The requirements in this rule provide the minimum standards for conductor clearances from vegetation to provide safety for the public and utility workers, reasonable service continuity, and fire prevention. Each operator of electric supply facilities must have a vegetation management program and keep appropriate records to ensure that timely trimming is accomplished to keep the designated minimum clearances. These records must be made available to the Commission upon request.

(3)

Each operator of electric supply facilities must trim or remove vegetation to maintain clearances from electric supply conductors.

(4)

Each operator of electric supply facilities must trim or remove readily climbable vegetation as specified in section (5) of this rule to minimize the likelihood of direct or indirect access to a high voltage conductor by a member of the public or any unauthorized person.

(5)

Under reasonably anticipated operational conditions, an operator of electric supply facilities must maintain the following minimum clearances of vegetation from conductors:

(a)

Ten feet for conductors energized above 200,000 volts.

(b)

Seven and one-half feet for conductors energized at 50,001 through 200,000 volts.

(c)

Five feet for conductors energized at 600 through 50,000 volts.

(A)

Clearances may be reduced to three feet if the vegetation is not readily climbable.

(B)

Intrusion of limited small branches and new tree growth into this minimum clearance area is acceptable provided the vegetation does not come closer than six inches to the conductor.

(6)

For conductors energized below 600 volts, an operator of electric supply facilities must trim vegetation to prevent it from causing strain or abrasion on electric conductors. Where trimming or removal of vegetation is not practical, the operator of electric supply facilities must install suitable material or devices to avoid insulation damage by abrasion.

(7)

In determining the extent of trimming required to maintain the clearances required in section (5) of this rule, the operator of electric supply facilities must consider at minimum the following factors for each conductor:

(a)

Voltage;

(b)

Location;

(c)

Configuration;

(d)

Sag of conductors at elevated temperatures and under wind and ice loading; and

(e)

Growth habit, strength, and health of vegetation growing adjacent to the conductor, with the combined displacement of the vegetation, supporting structures, and conductors under adverse weather or routine wind conditions.

Source: Rule 860-024-0016 — Minimum Vegetation Clearance Requirements, https://secure.­sos.­state.­or.­us/oard/view.­action?ruleNumber=860-024-0016.

860–024–0000
Applicability of Division 24 860–024–0001
Definitions for Safety Standards 860–024–0005
Maps and Records 860–024–0007
Location of Underground Facilities 860–024–0010
Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Electrical Supply and Communication Lines 860–024–0011
Inspections of Electric Supply and Communication Facilities 860–024–0012
Prioritization of Repairs by Operators of Electric Supply Facilities and Operators of Communication Facilities 860–024–0015
Ground Return 860–024–0016
Minimum Vegetation Clearance Requirements 860–024–0017
Vegetation Pruning Standards 860–024–0020
Gas Pipeline Safety 860–024–0021
Liquefied Natural Gas Safety 860–024–0025
Steam Heat — Construction, Operation, and Maintenance of Steam and Hot Water Transmission and Distribution Systems 860–024–0050
Incident Reports 860–024–0060
Definitions for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0070
Requirement to Notify for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0080
Procedure for Notification for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0090
Required Information in Notifications in Advance of and Directly Preceding a De-Energization Event for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0100
Points of Contact for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0110
Methods for Communicating De-Energization Event with the Public for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0120
Coordination with Public Safety Partners Before and During a De-Energization Event for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0130
Coordination with Emergency Response Centers and Incident Command Systems for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0140
Request to Delay De-Energization for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0150
De-Energization of Transmission Lines for Public Safety Power Shutoff 860–024–0160
Reporting Requirements for Public Safety Power Shutoff
Last Updated

Jun. 8, 2021

Rule 860-024-0016’s source at or​.us