Contractors

For SVEC to provide safe and reliable electricity at the most affordable cost, we use contractors to assist in a number of areas, such as right-of-way maintenance and pole testing. Please know that employees of these contractor crews will always possess proper identification and some operate vehicles labeled with SVEC stickers to officially mark their affiliation with the cooperative. Members will not be approached, under any circumstances, for payment by either a representative of SVEC or one of its contractors for these types of services.

If you have any questions or concerns about a contractor who has visited your property, please do not hesitate to contact SVEC at (800) 234-7832.

SVEC Right-of-Way Contractors

Xylem Tree Experts

SVEC currently uses Xylem Tree Experts to complete its side trimming and brush clearing activities on its rights-of-way. These crews work year-round to complete all scheduled trimming and cutting and to assist our line crews with power restoration following major storms. These crews use a variety of clearing methods including but not limited to: hand cutting, aerial lifts, mowers and brush cutters to side trim, remove overhangs, dead, diseased and damaged trees and yard trees that have grown into the power lines. Xylem trucks are clearly marked with their logo.

Visit the Xylem Tree Experts website.

Aerial Solutions Inc.

SVEC currently uses the services of Aerial Solutions Inc. This North Carolina-based helicopter company uses a patented aerial power saw to trim the right-of-way along its power lines. The 800 pound, 24 HP saw consists of multiple 24-inch diameter rotary blades and is suspended from a 90-foot vertical boom beneath the helicopter. The versatility and speed of the aerial power saw provides an efficient and cost-effective alternative to conventional side trimming methods in all types of terrain with little to no environmental impact. The aerial saw provides maximum lateral clearances from vegetation encroaching into the right-of-way. The right of ways are trimmed from ground to sky to further avoid conflicts with the power line. Long term outages in severe weather are avoided after rights-of-way are trimmed with the aerial saw. Aerial Solutions employs highly trained professional pilots and flies a well-maintained fleet of McDonnell Douglas 500 helicopters.

Watch the helicopter in action in SVEC’s territory on our Aerial Trimming page.

Visit the Aerial Solutions Inc. website.

Edko LLC

SVEC currently uses the services of Edko to apply herbicides for controlling brush and woody stems along its rights-of-way. This Texas-based company, with an office in Harrisonburg, has been in the herbicide application business since the 1960s, and uses several methods to control unwanted species under and along our power lines. These methods include but are not limited to high-volume foliar, low-volume backpack and basal applications. The herbicides applied are environmentally friendly and approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency. Edko employs Virginia Department of Agriculture-certified applicators along with Registered Tech to effect these applications.

Visit the Edko LLC website.