PG&E cuts down trees on Sonoma Mountain

Enviro Updates

This steep, clear-cut hillside drains down to a creek on the right
This steep, clear-cut hillside drains down to a creek on the right.

Chainsaws were roaring on Sonoma Mountain last week as PG&E moved ahead with its new policy of gradually removing all vegetation except grass from under and around high voltage lines. Trees being removed are on steep slopes, above streams, and in a Regional Parks-owned property, Sonoma Mountain Woodlands.
A new federal standard was enacted in 2006 to put pressure on utilities that had been negligent in maintaining vegetation near high voltage lines, causing fires and blackouts. Although the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has clarified that this policy does not require clear-cutting, PG&E’s long-term plans are now to eliminate all vegetation taller than three feet under and near the lines.
A new bare patch on hillside under the power lines
A new bare patch on hillside under the power lines.

High voltage lines run through some of the most scenic parts of Sonoma County, including Open Space District properties, Annadel State Park, and Shiloh Ranch Park. PG&E has trimmed old oaks, madrones and even redwoods in these line easements for over 50 years, keeping a generous safety margin of 25 feet between trees and lines, and there have never been any outages or fires.
A local group, SOS-Trees, has been negotiating with PG&E on behalf of affected property owners, who have been shocked at the extent of tree-removal which PG&E now wants.  Their website, at sos-trees.org, contains information about PG&E vegetation management policies and stories of other communities that have opposed the new rules.
SOS-Trees website
FERC Chairman Jon Wellinghoff comments on clear-cutting by utilities