High Winds, Fallen Trees Cause Major Disruptions

Over 100,000 customers in New Brunswick were plunged into darkness as high winds pushed trees onto power lines, leading to extensive power outages. N.B. Power, the local electricity provider, has faced criticism for cutting down on its tree management program, which saw a peak spending of $15.5 million in 2018. However, financial pressures have driven the utility to reduce its tree clearing expenditure to $12 million in 2021 and 2022, leaving $3.1 million unspent in the 2022 budget.

Impact of Reduced Tree Management

N.B. Power’s decision to reduce spending on tree management has raised eyebrows, especially considering the utility’s own admission that well-managed power-line corridors suffer less damage and can be repaired more quickly. This strategy was put in place following the post-tropical storm Arthur in 2014, which caused widespread outages due to tree collisions with power lines.

However, the recent reduction in tree-trimming budget is feared to affect the frequency and duration of power outages. Despite the utility’s use of technology and strategic investments to optimize spending, figures show a worrying trend: a 40% increase in power outages and a 60% increase in average outage duration compared to four years ago.

Fallen Trees and Power Outages: A Growing Concern

The recent storm in New Brunswick exemplified the problem. Residents like Dan Cleveland reported fallen trees on power lines that had not been cleared. Many areas, like Blacks Harbour, suffered from widespread damage and power outages. The mayor, among others, called for N.B. Power to prioritize the removal of fallen trees and hydro poles to ensure residents could access essential services.

Efforts towards Restoration

With the storm leaving a trail of broken trees and downed power lines, over 34,000 customers remained without power as of Wednesday evening. However, N.B. Power promises to have all power restored by Christmas, with over 700 resources working on restoration efforts.

While hospitals are back online, thousands of residents remain without power, facing financial strain, food loss, and limited assistance until the roads are cleared. It’s clear that the situation calls for more than just immediate restoration; it demands a reevaluation of the utility’s tree management strategy to prevent such crises in the future.