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23 September/October 2023 | THE DAVEY BULLETIN UTILITY POLE ASSESSMENT EXPANDS Davey Resource Group's (DRG) Utility Asset Management services (UAM) has been working to maintain and support the power grid transmission and distribution infrastructure in 17 states. Many of the states' public utility commissions mandate ongoing inspection, maintenance, and repairs of utility poles and underground equipment. About 330 DRG employees are working with clients in these states, including Carroll Electric, Central Right: A rusted, underground electric utility distribution enclosure. Chuck Pearson's crews inspect approximately 2,000 enclosures per week. "The electric boxes you may see outside of a grocery store or at a home that has underground power can become damaged by rust, oil leaks, or ants. In addition, conductors may be damaged by animals that chew on wires. Or someone may bump or hit the box with their vehicle and expose the wires. Wire exposure is a safety issue," Pearson said. EXPERTISE Maine Power, Clatskanie PUD, Duke Energy, FirstEnergy, Madison Gas and Electric, NYSEG, Oncor, RG&E, Rocky Mountain Power, We Energies, and Xcel Energy. Tom Petrick, director, DRG, UAM, said this work has been done in California, Oregon, and Washington for a few decades, and recently expanded to additional locations. Petrik and Jim Corbitt, regional manager, DRG, UAM, lead the teams. Utility pole assessment and restoration includes: Visually assessing the overhead equipment to make sure it's in good working order; excavating wood utility poles, identifying and addressing decay and the pole's strength. If at least 67% of the original pole strength is still present or if the pole can be restored, the wood pole is treated with preservatives to extend its service life. Restoration of decayed poles includes reinforcing it with a 10-foot or taller steel truss or fiberglass. "Restoration is a big cost savings for utility companies as it is a lot less expensive than replacing the entire pole, and can be done without deenergizing the lines," Petrik explained. Chuck Pearson, project manager, DRG, UAM, works with We Energy, Madison Gas and Electric, and Xcel Energy on pole inspection in Wisconsin and Texas. Per week, Pearson said his crews inspect approximately 2,500 poles and restore around 200 poles. Above: This We Energies pole has been inspected by Chuck Pearson's DRG UAM team. By excavating around the pole, the underground shell rot decay is exposed. If a pole remains in service, a paste preservative treatment is applied in the groundline area. Brown kraft paper is then wrapped over the paste preservative to ensure the pole is effec- tively treated. The excavation is then backfilled around the pole. 1. When did you join Davey? March of 2021. 2. What is your role in the power transmission infrastructure management work Davey is doing for utility clients Our group inspects, treats, and reinforces structures to maintain the integrity of the system and to call out deficiencies that need addressed. 3. What advice would you give to others for being successful at Davey? Share your knowledge and ideas. There is a great team environment within our groups. The better the people around you are the better you will be. Alone will only get you so far. 4. What is a tip or trick you might use on a project to get it done? I set a schedule with a plan and constant monitoring with adjust- ments to achieve the original results set in the original timeframe. Meet Ed Becker area manager, DRG, UAM

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