Utility Right of Way Management: Potential for Expanded Integrated Vegetation Managment in California

<p>Utility companies have the challenge of meeting vegetation clearance requirements within their right of ways and complying with various environmental laws and company goals. Vegetation management programs at the major utility companies cost millions of dollars a year. Reducing cost and increasing compliance are goals of right of way managers at utilities across the country. This paper looks at the possibility of increasing the utilization of integrated vegetation management on California’s utility right of ways. This paper will examine the current vegetation management strategy of California’s major utility companies and determine whether a more comprehensive integrated vegetation management program could be adopted. Examples of the utilization of integrated vegetation management and research at other utilities were examined for reference. The research found that a comprehensive integrated vegetation management program can reduce costs and increase compliance for California’s utilities. In addition, integrated vegetation management programs can offer unique opportunities to meet company environmental goals and obligations. These findings lead to several policy recommendations for California utility companies and regulators.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science in Environmental Management (MSEM)

Level thesis:degree_level

Project/Capstone - Global access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Interdisciplinary Studies

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Paschal, Kayla

Contributors dc:contributor

• Maggie Winslow
• n/a

• utility
• right of way
• integrated vegetation management
• Natural Resources Management and Policy

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/21

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.usfca.edu:capstone-1024