Portland General Electric (PGE) began marking properties for potentially
adding poles to properties last month, the start of an effort to remove service
drops that are attached to trees. Andrea Platt of PGE Strategic
Communications noted the project is in the design work phase and PGE will
engage with property owners for potential design solutions in the coming
months.

“We’ve got a number of ways that we’ll plan to reach out to customers so they
have a sense of what we’re doing and what the options might look like,” Platt
said. “If customers don’t agree with the location for a future potential pole, we
want to have dialogue.”

Properties were marked with stakes with pink ribbons where a new potential
pole could be placed.

Platt noted that PGE is constantly assessing equipment to be in line with
current laws, noting that the lines that were attached to trees were done
many years ago.

“Times have changed and regulations have as well,” she said, adding that
these relocations are part of a broader effort to protect areas around wires
and equipment.

Mountain resident Mike Gudge has concerns about the change, including that
the new pole will be “unsightly.”

“The way they route them, routing away from trees as much in the open and
clear as they can,” Gudge said. “Now they’re hidden among the trees and the
branches.”

Gudge added that he hopes other options will be considered, including
perhaps electrical standoffs that could insulate a line from the tree it is
attached to.

Homeowners with questions about potential poles can contact PGE at 503-
228-6322.

Stakes put on properties have a job number on it and homeowners can use
that as a reference.