Aging infrastructure, such as potentially decaying utility poles, is one of many areas that York Electric focuses on annually. Aging infrastructure affects service reliability and can potentially create safety hazards. Your cooperative is resolute in preserving its system infrastructure, and active measures are regularly taken to do just that.
Annually, York Electric, often through use of contract services, inspects thousands of YEC’s 50,000 poles to identify priority poles that are aging or damaged and may need to be replaced. When contract personnel are utilized, they wear clothing that identifies them and often these crews may be traveling either on a golf cart or ATV of some type.
Pole maintenance and inspection begins in November in and around the Ogden area along Strait, Steel Village, Auten, Dunlap Roddey, Fishing Creek, Phil Grant, Border, Williamson and Mobley Store roads and the surrounding areas. This project typically takes two months to complete, depending on weather. See the map below for the planned route and work area.
Preserving poles
Wood has long been an ideal material for utility poles. They are produced from a renewable resource which is resilient and extremely resistant to oxidation and corrosion. York Electric uses CCA poles which are treated with a preservative that further protects them against biological degraders that can potentially cause them to weaken. York Electric’s utility poles have a life expectancy of 50 years.
This annual pole maintenance process is another way we are looking out for you; it improves safety and the reliability of our electrical system. If you have questions about pole maintenance and inspections, please call member services at (803) 684-4248.
