Peace River Electric Strives To Protect Wildlife

WAUCHULA– Peace River Electric Cooperative (PRECO), an electric distribution cooperative headquartered in Wauchula, FL, has taken steps to prevent bird deaths due to power lines.   

Large raptors, such as eagles and ospreys, can potentially make contact with electrical equipment on utility poles due to their broad wingspans.

Birds with smaller wingspans typically do not come in contact with more than one power line or line device. The potential for injury increases when a bird’s body is large enough to ”bridge the gap“ between lines or equipment, which provides a path for electric current to travel.

To reduce the likelihood of raptor and small animal injury, PRECO takes a number of precautions when installing and maintaining power lines.

”Pole identification is an important part of our raptor protection program,“ shares Van Crawford, Vice President of Operations. ”Eagles and ospreys favor certain pole set-ups and layouts. Wherever possible, we avoid installing poles and attachments that are attractive to them,“ he adds.

Double cross arms, which are no longer installed on poles, have been replaced by single cross arms at the end of a line, a favorite nesting site. 

The State of Florida mandates that utilities use cross arms, the beam-like structures which hold wires and insulators, which are at least eight feet in length. By using 10-foot cross arms, PRECO adds another two feet of protection, making it more difficult for birds to contact two live surfaces simultaneously.

New cross arms installed by the co-op are constructed of fiberglass, a well-known non-conductive material which provides insulation from electric current.

”Additional raptor protection includes insulated wire connections, pole wraps, and bird guards to protect birds against electrical contact,“ Crawford adds.

PRECO’s raptor program is based on Avian Protection Plan (APP) Guidelines; A joint document prepared by the Edison Electric Institute’s Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) and US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 

Peace River Electric Cooperative is a Touchstone Energy¨ distribution electric cooperative that provides electric service and energy solutions to nearly 35,000 conusmers in 10 central Florida counties. Through almost 4,000 miles of power lines, the electric cooperative has been in  business since 1940 as a member-owned, not-for-profit organization.