Written by Frank Taylor
East Mississippi Electric Power Association (EMEPA) staff members delivered service to rural Americans on Thursday, February 20, 2025. The drought of 2023 continues to cause significant havoc on the landscape with the loss of tree cover in our communities and along the roadways. Trees are in an alliance with mankind. They produce fruits, nuts, shade covers, furniture, warmth, aesthetics, and other valuable resources. The summer’s drought of 2023 indiscriminately impacted trees in the southeast. This propelled the United States Department of Agriculture to implement the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, administered through the Farm Service Agency. This program provides payments to eligible nonindustrial private forest land owners to carry out emergency measures to restore land damaged by a natural disaster.
Dying trees are causing enormous problems for some utility companies based in rural communities. Utility companies select the best and safest pathway to provide their customers with power. The powerline infrastructure is dotted across hills and valleys surrounded by trees. Unfortunately, this poses a dangerous proposition in some areas because trees are dying along the power lines instantly. These trees could arbitrarily fall on the utility lines and cause power outages or start fires. Winston County Self Help Cooperative (WCSHC) staff member Alonzo Miller spotted a sizable, impacted pine tree adjacent to the utility line near the WCSHC building on Highpoint-Weir Rd, Louisville, Mississipi. WCSHC immediately contacted EMEPA’s helpline, which they remedied within a week. Thanks to the East Mississippi Electric Power Association for keeping their customers safe in rural America.
