A major Kentucky utility and the city of Lexington are going over a revised vegetation control policy. Kentucky Utilities’ tree removal program last year sparked significant citizen reactions.
Lexington City Council members got a briefing on the modified KU tree trimming and tree removal process Tuesday. No tree removals have occurred over the last several months while city and utility officials worked on an agreement. KU Director of Engineering and Construction Kyle Burns told the Council that tree removals will be reduced by 50% compared to the number initially proposed. But, he told Council it wouldn’t be an across-the-board reduction.
“So, it’s hard to say on any one particular area. You know it’s not going to be 50% equally shared across every circuit. There’ll be some circuits that might be 90% saved and some might be 10% saved,” said Burns.
Burns said there will be increased communications with affected homeowners ahead of any trimming or removals. He said information from an environmental study for one particular area should be available next week. The KU official noted newly impacted residents will see a 20% increase in compensation.
Several residents took in the briefing Tuesday at Lexington city hall.
One of the interested citizens listening to the presentation was Laura Zimmerman. She said the proof will be in what happens in the field.
“Still not sure. Sounds like we’re going in the right direction, but I still think we need to see what will actually happen when they start work back again,” said Zimmerman.
Council acted to push back final action on the memorandum of understanding regarding vegetation control until members return from summer break in August. That’s intended to give citizens more time to consider modifications including more trimming trees than removal.
LG&E and KU are financial supporters of WEKU.
