Legislators to Hear Tree Trimming Issue

(posted Oct 8)

Charles Goodman, citizen lobbyist, views utility tree trimming as a violation of people's property rights. Goodman contends it is time to stand up to the utility companies and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to bring "balance" back to the tree trimming process, so property owners have a voice.

Goodman is encouraging the public to attend the October 9 public hearing to voice their concerns at the state house. He has sent out 2,000 emails to alert people to come to the house chamber from 10 am to 4 pm to make a comment. "My message is that one person can make a difference if they keep trying and trying."

The committee will discuss his draft legislation that contains language of providing a uniform standard across the state.

Currently each utility company has its own tree trimming policy. IPL's policy, Project Cooperation, will allow homeowners to trim their own trees providing they post a $1 million liability contract. He called the requirement "one more step to bully the people."

Goodman said he has personally experienced the utility's "butchering" practices that killed his $35,000 tree. The directional cutting is harmful to trees because the cut reduces the tree's ability to handle heavy snows. The uneven cutting causes the tree to lean. This places the homeowner in a position of liability if the tree should fall. He said the utilities refuse to accept responsibility for their tree cuts, even if it results in a felled tree causing damage.

Goodman contends the IURC gave the utilities a blank check to trim trees. Administrative law allows utilities to come onto anyone's property at any time to trim a tree to protect the utility from outages. The goal was to reduce outages. His contention is that the utilities are now taking bigger swathes beyond the easement to keep the trees trimmed back for longer periods to save money. As far as Goodman is concerned, the utilities are simply invading private property rights.

He said Illinois has passed legislation to protect homeowners' property rights during vegetation management practices by utilities.