Outages are always inconvenient. Even though outage-hours experienced by OEC members are relatively low, the co-op always strives to keep reducing those numbers. Some outages are out of our control – things like major storms, car accidents and vandalism.

One thing Oconto Electric works hard at is right-of-way clearing. During the past several years, OEC has invested more than $2 million on right-of-way clearing. Not only important to reduce outages, right-of-way clearing reduces dangerous situations (like when children climb trees that are touching power lines.)

When clearing an existing right-of-way, trees, brush and shrubs are removed from under the primary overhead lines. Vegetation is also removed, as needed, from around the secondary power lines which are the lines that bring power from the transformer to your meter. Attempts are made to notify property owners when right-of-way clearing will be done on their property.