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Edison Electric Institute's 2005 Strategy
Strategic Approach
Progress on 2004 Activity 1
Promote an Integrated Pest (Vegetation) Management approach for vegetation control on electric rights-of-way. Promote utility sponsored application training sessions.
EEI member electric utilities, as in previous years, continued to conduct pesticide training sessions. It is estimated that approximately 4,000 vegetation management workers were trained in 2003.
Progress on 2004 Activity 2
Continue to work with federal agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Fish & Wildlife Service to establish PESP as the accepted strategy for managing utility rights-of-way on Federal public lands.
EEI, working with U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency neared completion of the MOU to establish Integrated Vegetation Management practices on utility rights-of-way crossing federally managed lands. The MOU establishes a framework for the cooperative right-of-way integrated vegetation management (IVM) practices among EEI and member investor-owned electric utility companies, and the Department of the Interior Agencies, Forest Service and EPA. The MOU is expected to be signed during the summer of 2005.
Progress on 2004 Activity 3
Advocate acceptance of the PESP Strategy in the utility ROW vegetation management standards being developed in response to the August 14, 2003 Blackout.
EEI continued its efforts of encouraging members to adopt and use IVM strategies in their vegetation management endeavors.
Progress on 2004 Activity 4
Increase the number of utilities operating under the EEI "PESP Strategy umbrella."
EEI worked with EPA’s PESP to establish the EEI strategy as an “umbrella” for all EEI members to function under within the PESP. A mechanism to allow individual EEI members who are PESP partners to independently report PESP activities is being developed.
Activities for the Coming Year
Activity 1
Promote an Integrated Pest (Vegetation) Management approach for vegetation control on electric rights-of-way. Promote utility sponsored application training sessions.
How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?
By promoting systematic approach for vegetation control on electric rights-of-way maintenance that: identifies the pest (incompatible vegetation) to be controlled; considers all options available; and selects the option that bests balances the need for safe, reliable electric service while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the environment and varied land uses. Properly trained workers will be able to reduce health and environmental risks.
How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?
By measuring the number of IPM and pesticides safety training sessions conducted and/or attended by EEI member companies, and estimating the number of of employees and contractors trained.
Activity 2
Finalize work with U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency to establish PESP as the accepted strategy for managing utility rights-of-way on Federal public lands. Obtain signatures on MOU from all parties and conduct appropriate outreach to inform the public of the MOU.
How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?
A systematic PESP approach to ROW management of Federal public lands will will meet the needs of the Federal agencies for biodiversity, invasive vegetation control, and environmental stewardship by reducing the long-term risks associated with the current inconsistent, inefficient and ineffective Federal land management agencies' policies. A more efficient and effective use of pesticides would result.
How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?
By determining the number of Federal land management agencies accepting and using IVM on utility ROW's.
Activity 3
Advocate acceptance of IVM in utility ROW vegetation management standards.
How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?
Incorporation of the PESP Strategy will result in standards that encourage environmentally compatible ROW management while ensuring reliable operation of transmission lines.
How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?
By the adoption of standards that allow for an IVM/PESP approach rather than a strict inflexible standard mandating minimal vegetation on ROW's.
Activity 4
Increase the number of utilities operating under the EEI "PESP Strategy umbrella."
How does this activity reduce pesticide risk?
Increases the number of companies practicing PESP based IVM, thus reducing overall use of pesticides on r.o.w.'s over time.
How will you measure the risk reduction gained from this activity?
By identifying the number of EEI member companies actively practicing PESP based IVM.