The Florida Municipal Electric Association recently partnered with host Gainesville Regional Utilities to offer an inaugural roundtable for Florida's public power vegetation management personnel.
The event, which took place on Feb. 6, was designed to foster an open dialogue, share policies and best practices, and facilitate networking among professionals responsible for managing vegetation trimming activities before and after storm seasons.
Key Discussion Topics included:
- Pre-Storm Vegetation Trimming: Techniques and timing for proactive trimming to prevent storm-related outages.
- Post-Storm Restoration: Efficient approaches to manage vegetation following storms to expedite power restoration.
- Innovative Tools and Technologies: Exploring advancements in vegetation management equipment and software that enhance operational efficiency.
- Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards: Navigating the regulatory landscape and ensuring adherence to safety protocols.
- Networking with Public Power Peers: Establishing a network of communication to support future utility needs.
"From the canopied oaks of the northern regions of our state to the vibrant greenery of humid South Florida, effective vegetation management programs can make all the difference on both blue sky and grey sky days, especially during hurricane season,” said Amy Zubaly, Executive Director of FMEA.
“FMEA was honored to convene the inaugural Vegetation Management Roundtable, where Florida public power utilities from across the state joined together to share best practices and work together for a shared goal of enhanced reliability."
The meeting was open to all FMEA municipal members including: utility vegetation employees and key personnel who manage, supervise, and/or perform line clearance trimming activities, herbicide applications, and other activities involved in Integrated Vegetation Management programs that are tailored to the electric utility environment.
