As hurricane season ramps up, crews from PSEG Long Island are out in force across Suffolk neighborhoods, trimming back tree limbs and clearing vegetation that could take down power lines during storms.
The company says it’s part of a larger push to provide safer, more reliable power to its customers, particularly when high winds and heavy rains threaten the electric grid.
“Providing safe, reliable power is a key part of PSEG Long Island’s mission,” said Jeremy Walsh, a spokesman for the utility. “Vegetation management is critically important in our service area, as tree-related outages are the second leading cause of interruptions.”
Since assuming responsibility for Long Island’s electric system in 2014 under an arrangement with the Long Island Power Authority, the Public Service Enterprise Group has removed more than 136,000 hazardous trees and large limbs and trimmed more than 29,000 miles of distribution and transmission lines, according to Walsh. The work is done in accordance with industry best practices, which aim to preserve the health of trees while guiding future growth away from power lines.
The utility has also tackled another persistent threat—vines. According to company data, over 24,000 vine locations across Long Island and the Rockaways have been identified, cut, and treated through a specialized mitigation program.
“By combining storm hardening, regular maintenance, and targeted trimming, PSEG Long Island has become the most reliable overhead electric service provider in New York State,” Walsh said.
Residents can expect to see ongoing trimming efforts throughout the summer and fall, with crews focusing on historically vulnerable circuits and areas flagged by field inspections.
PSEG officials urge property owners to allow trimming where necessary and to report any trees or limbs threatening power lines by calling 1‑800‑490‑0075 or visiting psegliny.com.