Safety and reliability are the primary reasons Horry Electric Cooperative takes a firm position on right-of-way clearance of all of our electrical equipment.
Whether it is located overhead, underground or attached to your home or business, the electrical equipment needs space to do its job.
Trees and overhead power lines don’t mix. Lightning, high winds, ice, heavy rains or even extremely dry weather can send a tree to the ground, and its limbs into a power line. The result is a power outage. Crews have to be dispatched, electrical equipment has to be repaired or replaced, and members are without power until the work can be safely completed.
Horry Electric has an aggressive tree trimming program in place to help reduce the potential for outages related to trees and tree limbs, but keeping up with tree growth in Horry County is a challenge.
Our goal is to provide safe, reliable electric service. By cooperating and participating in our maintenance program, you can help make sure your Cooperative meets its goal.
If at any time, you see trees growing into power lines that may be dangerous, let us know immediately.
Right-of-Way refers to the corridor or pathway an electric line follows, whether it’s along a road or through the woods. ROW provides utility crews with access to lines for improvements, maintenance and repairs. It also provides an operational safety zone between the electric lines and trees, buildings, etc. On the majority of our lines, we hold easements that give the Cooperative the right to clear land 15 feet from either side of the wire.
A clear ROW minimizes outages, plus improves power quality, reliability and safety.
The ROW is cleared by cutting, trimming, mowing and where permissible, applying herbicides. In most cases, all shrubs, brush and trees are removed under primary (main), overhead power lines. They are also removed, at and around secondary, low-voltage power lines that bring power from the transformer to your meter. Cutting and trimming are done by trained, professional utility tree trimmers using specific and proven standards typical to the industry.
Horry Electric’s ROW maintenance program balances the preservation of natural habitats with the service reliability needs of our members, as well as the safety needs to the general public. In fact, it can actually benefit the ecosystem and other natural environments. ROW maintenance efforts create open areas that encourage the growth of wildflowers, ferns, grasses, flowers, berries and other low-growing shrubs.
2774 Cultra Road
Conway, SC 29526
5889 Hwy 707
Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
PO Box 119
Conway, SC 29528
