Member Reminder: Right-of-Way Access, Drone Usage & Employee Safety

Upshur Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (URECC) is a not-for-profit cooperative whose sole focus is to provide safe, affordable, and reliable power to the Members and communities we serve. Maintaining this standard of service requires our employees and contractors to regularly inspect, maintain, and access power lines, poles, equipment, and right-of-ways (ROWs). This work includes vegetation management, line inspections, maintenance projects, outage restoration, and the use of drone technology to safely inspect electric infrastructure. Recognizing the impact that vegetation can have on system reliability, the URECC Board of Directors approved more than $5 million for right-of-way vegetation management in 2026.

“This helps the Cooperative maintain the right-of-ways more efficiently by limiting the number of trees that could possibly grow into the line while also limiting the number of trees needing to be trimmed,” Vegetation and Power Quality Supervisor, Matt Dykes said. “This guideline also informs the Member that maintaining good access to our right-of-ways is very important for vegetation maintenance and line work.”

Many of these activities are also driven by state regulations, industry standards, insurance requirements, and utility safety programs. Members may see URECC employees or contractors working within right-of-ways or near their homes and properties throughout the year. This includes vegetation management, pole inspections, meter inspections, wildfire mitigation efforts, routine maintenance, equipment upgrades, outage restoration, and other projects necessary to maintain a safe and reliable electric system. Our employees operate marked vehicles displaying the URECC logo, and our contractors’ vehicles display their company logo along with a URECC sticker identifying them as contractors working on behalf of the cooperative.

URECC’s easements and right-of-ways provide the legal access necessary to inspect, maintain, and operate electric facilities. The Membership Agreement further outlines the responsibilities of both the cooperative and its Members as we work together to maintain a safe and reliable electric system.

The Membership Agreement also states that trees, structures, fences, landscaping, and other obstructions should not be placed within URECC’s right-of-ways. Maintaining clear right-of-ways helps protect public safety, reduces the risk of outages, and allows crews to safely access electric infrastructure when maintenance or repairs are needed. Obstructions can create safety hazards, interfere with electric facilities, and make it more difficult for crews to perform necessary work efficiently and safely.

We understand that maintenance activities within right-of-ways and other system work can sometimes be inconvenient or unexpected. However, these activities are essential to providing safe, reliable electric service and helping prevent outages and costly repairs in the future. While the work may not always be convenient, it plays a critical role in maintaining the electric system that serves all Members.

URECC has also expanded the use of drone technology throughout our service territory to support preventative maintenance efforts, improve the efficiency of outage restoration, and enhance the safety of our employees and contractors. All drone operations are conducted by FAA-certified pilots and are focused solely on inspecting URECC-owned facilities, equipment, and infrastructure.

“We recognize that some Members may have questions when they see a drone operating nearby,” Manager of Power Quality, Brian Mahan said. “Those flights are conducted solely for utility-related inspections of URECC-owned facilities and equipment. Our focus is on the electric system and maintaining reliable service for our Members.”

The safety of the public, our employees and contractors remains one of URECC’s highest priorities. Our crews and contractors work on behalf of the cooperative and all Members to maintain the electric system that powers our homes, businesses, schools, and communities.

We are committed to serving our Members safely and respectfully. To help us do so, we ask that employees and contractors be allowed to perform their work without interference and be treated with courtesy and professionalism.

“Behind every maintenance project, outage restoration effort, and right-of-way improvement are employees and contractors working to serve our communities,” General Manager and CEO, Robert Walker said. “Their safety must always come first, and we are committed to providing the support and resources necessary for them to do their jobs safely.”

If you have questions or concerns about right-of-way maintenance, vegetation management, drone inspections, or work being performed on or near your property, please contact URECC’s Member Services Department. Our team is happy to explain the work being performed and address any concerns you may have.

Thank you for helping us keep our employees, contractors, Members, and electric system safe. By working together, we can continue providing safe, reliable electric service to the communities we proudly serve.

-Upshur-Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation