The Utility Vegetation Management Podcast

In today’s episode of The UVM Podcast, hosts Nick and Steve are joined by industry thought leader Eric Brown, Manager of Grid Assets for Electric T&D Vegetation Management at Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). Eric shares the serendipitous story of how he was first introduced to a career in the UVM field—right in a parking lot! Reflecting on his time at PG&E in various roles, Eric highlights the invaluable insights he gained from colleagues, peers, and consultants. Eventually, shared corridors and previous collaborations led Eric to his current role with SMUD, where he manages their T&D programs. Eric also sheds light on the nuances of SMUD's condensed yet unique service territory, spanning from desolate wilderness to the California State Capitol. The conversation then shifts to discussing the organizational and regulatory differences between Municipalities and Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs), with the ultimate assertion that both share a common goal of safety and reliability. They delve into some of SMUD’s specific programs, including their partnership with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, which supports the improvement of the Urban Forest as well as Social Equity in UVM. After reminiscing on Eric’s past role as UAA President and his continued involvement in the organization, they have a candid conversation about the industry's pressing issues. Topics range from consistency in UVM programs to the efficacy of cycle-based programs, with a significant discussion about technology's role and its continuing importance, particularly in inspection and quality control. As the discussion covers the evolving landscape of UVM work, they also address fires and other weather-related events. Eric outlines his participation in developing a program for managing risks around SMUD’s assets, specifically focusing on risks not within Right of Way or easements. This is followed by an insightful look at efforts being made to increase visibility and appeal of UVM Work as a career Wrapping up, Eric shares the inspiring work he is doing with Light Up Navajo. More information about Light Up Navajo can be found at https://www.ntua.com/. We trust you’ll find this edition of the UVM Podcast enlightening. Should you have feedback or suggestions for upcoming topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

In this episode, Nick and Steve have the privilege of hosting Tim Walsh, a key member of the UVM industry with decades of experience and a passionate advocate for safety. Tim, a former president of the UAA and current VP of Health and Safety at Davey Tree Company, kicks off the conversation by shedding light on the various committees available for UAA members to join and actively engage with the organization. Highlighting Trees and Utilities as the premier event in the UVM industry, Tim reflects on the significance of the event, drawing attention to the wealth of educational opportunities, research insights, networking, and hands-on experiences with cutting-edge equipment. With over 1,000 attendees in 2023, the event has become a cornerstone for students, contractors, employees, and vendors. The conversation then shifts to safety, where Tim emphasizes the importance of fostering a strong overall culture within organizations, one in which individuals exhibit consistent behavior in both personal and professional realms. Tim explains why there should not be a separate “Safety Culture”, rather, it should be an integral part of the overall culture. He advocates for a shift in focus from merely addressing what goes wrong to celebrating what goes right, transforming the narrative around safety. Tim challenges the traditional notions of "zero incidents" and "all incidents are preventable," offering fresh perspectives on cultivating a resilient safety system. As the discussion evolves, Tim provides valuable insights into upcoming changes in safety standards and rules within the UVM industry. He emphasizes that safety is not merely the absence of accidents but the presence of resilience in the system. Tim advocates for the incorporation of research and statistics in safety discussions, urging a holistic approach to enhance safety practices. In looking toward the future of safety in UVM, Tim explores ongoing challenges such as recruiting, retention, and employee engagement. He underscores the need to embed safety as an integral part of a company's culture and leaves listeners with a thoughtful reflection on the evolving landscape of safety within the UVM industry. Lastly Tim, Nick and Steve discuss some of the exciting technologies available in the UVM industry and how they can be used to enhance safety. We trust you’ll find this edition of the UVM Podcast enlightening. Should you have feedback or suggestions for upcoming topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

In an engaging podcast episode, Nick and Steve are joined by Jeremy Hayward, a member of the Redding Rancheria nation and President of the Redding Rancheria Economic Development Corporation (REDDCO). Jeremy also represents and speaks about the Native American owned UVM company, Essential Vegetation Management Services (EVMS). Jeremy delves into the rich tapestry of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), a treasure trove of indigenous communities' wisdom, practices, and beliefs that revolves around the symbiotic relationship between life and its environment. With a blend of culture, spirituality, history, and profound understanding of ecosystems, TEK stands as a testament to the intricate balance of nature. Jeremy emphasizes TEK's relevance in today's world, spotlighting its pivotal role in areas like conservation, climate change adaptation, biodiversity, and the holistic perspective it offers on ecosystems. The discussion traverses the practical applications of TEK, particularly among Native American tribes in California. Jeremy shares enlightening examples from tribes such as the Wintu, Pit River, and Yana, highlighting their age-old practices like controlled burns, sustainable resource management, plant cultivation, and active land stewardship. Branching out from TEK, Jeremy sheds light on his extensive array of companies with a vision focused on sustainability across "Seven Generations." He speaks with pride about their groundbreaking initiatives in green hydrogen production, harnessing waste from UVM operations to forge a sustainable energy path. Jeremy also touches upon his collaborative efforts, alongside a team of volunteer companies, to electrify the Navajo Nation, bringing much-needed power to their communities. We trust you'll find this edition of The UVM Podcast enlightening. Should you have feedback or suggestions for upcoming topics, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO.

Part 2 In this episode of The UVM Podcast, hosts Steve and Nick are joined by guest Madelyn Anderson, Senior Policy Officer of the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in Victoria, Australia. The conversation covers a range of topics related to UVM, risk reduction, and powerline-related wildfires in the State of Victoria. Madelyn introduces herself and discusses her involvement with policy design after significant bushfire events in Australia. She highlights the increasing consequences of bushfires due to population expansion in high-risk areas and the impact of climate change on fire frequency and severity. They delve into Victoria's history of bushfires, including events like Black Saturday, and the impact of powerlines on ignitions. Madelyn describes the lessons learned from past wildfires and how they have influenced current practices and policies in Utility Vegetation Management. The discussion explores various strategies employed by the government to address vegetation management and minimize the risk of powerline-related wildfires. Madelyn details initiatives such as the Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce and advancements in technology for risk reduction. Madelyn explains the challenges of managing vegetation near powerlines while respecting Victoria's unique flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. They also discuss community engagement and public awareness efforts to educate residents about powerline safety and the importance of vegetation management. The success of the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program is highlighted, with significant reductions in ignition risk achieved through capital programs. Throughout the episode, the hosts and guest provide insights into the complexities of managing powerline-related wildfire risks and share valuable information about Victoria's approach to Utility Vegetation Management. The episode is split in two, of which this is part 2. Many thanks to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO (www.live-eo.com). ** CEUs --> visit the UAA Website to complete the questionnaire and receive your CEUs from ISA here

In this episode of The UVM Podcast, hosts Steve and Nick are joined by guest Madelyn Anderson, Senior Policy Officer of the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program at the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in Victoria, Australia. The conversation covers a range of topics related to UVM, risk reduction, and powerline-related wildfires in the State of Victoria. Madelyn introduces herself and discusses her involvement with policy design after significant bushfire events in Australia. She highlights the increasing consequences of bushfires due to population expansion in high-risk areas and the impact of climate change on fire frequency and severity. They delve into Victoria's history of bushfires, including events like Black Saturday, and the impact of powerlines on ignitions. Madelyn describes the lessons learned from past wildfires and how they have influenced current practices and policies in Utility Vegetation Management. The discussion explores various strategies employed by the government to address vegetation management and minimize the risk of powerline-related wildfires. Madelyn details initiatives such as the Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce and advancements in technology for risk reduction. Madelyn explains the challenges of managing vegetation near powerlines while respecting Victoria's unique flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. They also discuss community engagement and public awareness efforts to educate residents about powerline safety and the importance of vegetation management. The success of the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program is highlighted, with significant reductions in ignition risk achieved through capital programs. Throughout the episode, the hosts and guest provide insights into the complexities of managing powerline-related wildfire risks and share valuable information about Victoria's approach to Utility Vegetation Management. The episode is split in two, of which this is part 1 Many thanks to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO (www.live-eo.com). ** CEUs --> visit the UAA Website to complete the questionnaire and receive your CEUs from ISA here

In this podcast interview, Nick and Steve, hosts of The UVM Podcast, interview Dan Gent, Director of Transmission and Reliability at Electricity Canada, a national forum and voice of the evolving and innovative electricity business in Canada. Dan explains his background and role at Electricity Canada, working within a trade association to represent its members to broader stakeholder groups such as the federal government and other regulatory organizations. He discusses the importance of transmission reliability and how it has been his area of focus for over a decade. Dan also highlights the challenges for transmission reliability across Canada, particularly extreme weather events such as ice storms. The discussion also touches on vegetation management, where Dan explains that as an association, they collect data on tree-related outages and provide that to their members. They also conducted a benchmarking study on vegetation management and found that trees account for 19% of customer interruptions and over 33% of the duration of an outage. Dan also shares insights on the Wildfire Mitigation Guide, a recommendation for what to do to prevent wildfires, from ATV spark plugs to vegetation management practices. The guide was a collective effort from utilities, and Dan explains how it's a living document that is reviewed every 3-5 years with experts to ensure it is still relevant with wildfire prevention technologies and tactics. A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. **CEUs are available on the UAA website here**

In the aftermath of the 2003 tree related blackouts, North America and Europe responded differently to the issue of regulating their electricity grids. North America adopted a highly regulated approach with clear standards and enforcement mechanisms, resulting in fewer large-scale blackouts. Meanwhile, Europe struggled with a lack of centralized regulation and cross-border enforcement mechanisms, leading to disparities in UVM programs, but greater flexibility in adopting new, greener technologies to address climate change. Overall, the lessons learned from the 2003 blackouts have highlighted the importance of clear regulation, independent and reliable regulatory agencies, and adaptability in the face of climate change. As we continue to face these challenges, it is crucial that we not lose sight of the need to ensure a reliable and efficient power grid for all, on both sides of the pond. In this fascinating episode, Nick and Steve discuss the work of Tulane Law School student Lex Kumar in her retrospective analysis of the North American and European Blackouts of 2003. Lex discusses the similarities of each event and how the governments responded to these historic tree related blackouts. Lex can be contact at LKumar1@tulane.edu. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A big thank you to this episode’s sponsor, LiveEO (www.live-eo.com).

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) is revolutionizing the way we manage vegetation around power lines, and the benefits are nothing short of impressive. AI is capable of processing and analyzing vast amounts of data collected from advanced remote sensing technologies like drones, LiDAR, and satellites. This analysis helps to identify potential vegetation risks and prioritize areas that require immediate attention, allowing utility companies to proactively mitigate the risk of outages and fires. This episode explores this emerging technology, providing insights on the many ways it is transforming UVM and improving the overall safety and reliability of our power grids. In this fascinating episode, Nick and Steve dive deep into the world of AI with ChatGPT, DALL-E, and MidJourney - accessible AI engines that are transforming industries. Listeners will gain valuable insights into a wide range of AI/UVM related topics, including the Turing Test, the potential of AI in UVM, and the threats and benefits of AI. The interview is full of surprises, with Nick and Steve challenging AI to create UVM artwork based purely on a few descriptive sentences in common English. The results are both stunning and eye-opening. If you are interested in learning more about how AI is transforming UVM and society at large, this episode is a must-listen. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about a cutting-edge technology that is revolutionizing the way we manage vegetation around power lines, making our power grids safer, and more reliable. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO. **CEUs Available ** Visit the UAA website and click on quizzes or click this link. https://member.gotouaa.org/surveys/?id=AI_to_VM

In this episode we discuss the “the demarcation issue” with Larry Kahn, the Distinguished Research Fellow at Tulane Law School’s UVMI. This is the second episode, in a planned series of discussions with Larry, where we hope to raise issues worthy of consideration and debate in the UVM industry. During this episode Larry, Steve and Nick explain and discuss the demarcation issue and present ideas to reduce outages, fires and accidents. As with the Rule of 70 episode, this is an important to the UVM industry. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A note to listeners: this episode was recorded in early August. Senate Bill 396 in California was quashed in late August. We decided to run the episode anyway on the basis that we feel Demarcation is an important topic and SB 396 is a useful case study. **CEUs Available ** Visit the UAA website and click on quizzes or click this link. https://member.gotouaa.org/surveys/?id=Demarcation_Podcast

What is the cradle to grave asset lifecycle, and how do different forms of remote sensing come into play? Is satellite the ‘silver bullet’ of the remote sensing world that will entirely replace LiDAR or is the picture more nuanced than that? Steve and Nick are joined by Subject Matter Experts from LiveEO (Tony Palizzi), NV5 Geospatial (Jacob Hall) and Planet (Paulina Zubatov) to unpack the asset life cycle and examine, through a remote sensing lens, how geospatial technology can support each stage. The NPR Podcast with Planet's founders that was mentioned during this recording can be found here. The NPR episode doesn't cover vegetation management but does provide interesting further context on the drivers of the NewSpace revolution. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

In this episode we discuss the “Rule of 70” with Larry Kahn, the Distinguished Research Fellow at Tulane Law School’s UVMI. This is the first episode, in a planned series of discussions with Larry, where we hope to raise issues worthy of consideration and debate in the UVM industry. During this episode Larry, Steve and Nick explain what the Rule of 70s is and why it may be one of the most important metrics a Utility Arborist needs to track. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

In this episode (and at the suggestion of one of our subscribers- thanks Eric Owens at CNUC!) we interview Lewis Payne from the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the largest state-owned utility in the United States. Lewis (Lew) Payne is the Manager ROW/Environmental and a well-respected 30+ year veteran in the Transmission UVM industry. During this thoughtful discussion, Lew discusses his work on a variety of topics ranging from pollinator habitat and IVM, to the way the transmission industry was influenced by the August 14, 2003 Northeast Blackout. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO. **CEUs Available ** Visit the UAA website and click on quizzes or click this link. https://member.gotouaa.org/surveys/?id=UVM_Ep_19

In this episode we interview Eliecer Viamontes, the recently appointed President and CEO of Entergy Texas. Entergy serves about 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas and they are no strangers to Utility Vegetation Management or the implications of tree and power line conflicts. During this inspiring discussion Eliecer not only outlines current priorities and accomplishments of Entergy Texas, he talks about his own background and experiences in running UVM programs. You heard that right, he is a utility company CEO that actually understands UVM and recognizes the value of our collective work. For those of us new to the UVM profession, Eliecer provides some great career advice. For those of us that are longer in the tooth, it’s about time that we moved an experienced UVM person into the C suite. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast valuable and insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

In this episode we interview Steve Martin from Powerlink Queensland. Steve is the Senior Strategist for Land, Research and Development for Powerlink and works out of the greater Brisbane area of Australia. During this lively down-under discussion, Steve and the podcast hosts discuss a wide array of issues ranging from animal grazing on transmission ROWs to managing our UVM workloads as an asset - not a liability. It is also another episode where “the tyranny of distance” plays a role in UVM and bushfire mitigation (note: you can listen to earlier episodes with our other Australian guests if you don’t understand the reference – it’s a term that would apply to all large IOU UVM programs). During the conversation, Nick mentioned an article he wrote on harnessing the best elements of LIDAR (as-built surveys for ratings confirmation) with the best of satellite technology (monitoring vegetation to inform clearances, health and species). The article can be found here. We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful and entertaining. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO.

In this episode we interview Teri French, Vice President, Forestry Services, and Patrick Howe, Vegetation Management Front Line Manager at Hydro One. In this thoughtful discussion, Teri and Patrick talk about running an in-house UVM program in Canada’s most populous province, Ontario. Hydro One is a utility that is committed to operating safely in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. During this discussion we cover several topics including: We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A big thank you to this week's episode sponsor LiveEO.

In this episode we interview Matt Palmer, Vegetation Specialist - Standards, at Ergon Energy Network and Energex, part of the Energy Queensland group. Ergon Energy Network and Energex are distribution service providers that together deliver approximately 35,000 GWh of electricity right across Queensland to around 2.3 million customers. The network consists of more than 178,000 km of overhead powerlines and 29,000 km of underground power cables. During this discussion we cover several topics including: We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

** 0.5 CEU credit from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) available to Utility Arborist Association members. Complete the questionnaire on the UAA website here. ** In this episode we interview Professor Richard Hauer from the College of Natural Resources at The University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point (UWSP). An academic institution known by many of our listeners, UWSP continues to be a source of education and research to the UVM industry. During this thoughtful discussion, Professor Hauer discusses his work on a recent report he published about Utility Vegetation Management in North America. The report was based on a 2019 utility forestry census of UVM activities and operations. Professor Hauer also details UWSP courses focused on UVM including the Vegetation Management Certificate. Links: 2019 UVM Utility Forestry CensusUWSP UVM Vegetation Management CertificateNote: 50 printed versions of the report are available on a first come, first serve basis by contacting report co-author Randy Miller (rmiller@cnutility.com). We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A big thank you to this episodes sponsor, LiveEO.

Centre for Energy Advancement through Technological Innovation (CEATI) This episode features an interview with Rob Young, Executive Director of the Registered Professional Foresters Association of Nova Scotia, and Technical Advisor to the research organization CEATI. Rob spent over 25 years developing and leading Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) programs at Nova Scotia Power for 5,500 km of transmission and 27,000 km of distribution lines. In this interview, we discuss the research organization CEATI, and the work it is doing to advance Utility Vegetation Management as a discipline. We cover several topics including: We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast helpful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. Rob can be found on LinkedIN here and the CEATI website is here.

** 1 CEU credit from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is available to Utility Arborist Association members. Complete the questionnaire on the UAA website here. ** In this episode we interview Randy Gimple, a founding partner of Carlson, Calladine & Peterson LLP, a litigation firm in San Francisco, California. Over his 34 years in the practice, he has handled hundreds of catastrophic and mass tort cases involving wildfires, explosions, floods and various other calamities. Randy is one of the nation’s premier wildfire litigators and has been involved with numerous high profile legal cases directly related to tree and power line conflicts. In this fascinating discussion, Randy provides insights and practical advice for people involved with UVM. Whether or utility employee or UVM service provider, listeners will learn about a myriad of legal topics and issues that will help them in preparing for involvement in legal proceedings. During this thoughtful, and at times philosophic interview, we discuss a range of topical legal issues including: We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. Randy's contact information can be found here. Thank you to this week's sponsor, LiveEO.

** 0.5 CEU credit from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) available to Utility Arborist Association members. Complete the questionnaire on the UAA website here. ** This episode features an interview is with a Professional Engineer, Otto Lynch, President & CEO of Power Line Systems. Conductors can move during the course of a day under different electrical loading and weather scenarios, a phenomenon known as sag and sway, which is not always well understood. Sag and sway can have a major impact on vegetation management as the movement envelope needs to be taken into account to ensure that acceptable clearances between conductors and vegetation are maintained during all operating conditions. In today’s episode Otto provides a 101 on sag and sway and the impact this has on the work of UVM staff. We cover several topics in detail including: We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast helpful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. Otto can be found on LinkedIN here and the PLS-CADD website is here.