Right of Way Management
A right of way is a corridor created through perpetual easements acquired from the landowner which Santee Cooper uses to build and maintain electric transmission facilities in order to serve our customers. Santee Cooper performs regular maintenance on its rights of way for safe and reliable operation of our utility system. A clear right of way allows:
- Unrestricted entry and safe access to all facilities at all times for regular maintenance and during emergency situations
- Preventing third-party damage
- Easy identification and monitoring of transmission facilities
- Uninterrupted power supply
Santee Cooper maintains over 5,100 miles of electric transmission lines in South Carolina. Santee Cooper strives to safeguard the reliability of our power line grid and our customers' electric service. We do this with a cost-effective system that balances our customers’ needs and respects the natural environment surrounding our facilities. This system requires that we restrict and control certain activities within our rights of way.
Encroachment Management
Santee Cooper’s Encroachment Management is responsible for the removal, review and approval of utility encroachments within the Santee Cooper easement.
Ground Floor Management
Santee Cooper’s Ground Floor Management is responsible for the maintenance of all ground floor vegetation management within the Santee Cooper rights of way.
Tree Management
Santee Cooper’s Tree Management is responsible for the removal and trimming of all hazard trees and maintaining the periphery of the Santee Cooper rights of way.
Distribution Right of Way Management
Santee Cooper’s distribution lines carry power from substations to our customers. These power lines consist of 7.2 kV, 12kV and 34kV to deliver power to your home. Trees should not be planted within the distribution easements due to public safety concerns. They not only can become overgrown and cause power outages, but they can also block the path of vehicles that need access to the lines for maintenance or emergency repairs.
A “Right of Way” is a corridor created through perpetual easement(s) acquired from the landowner which Santee Cooper uses to build and maintain electric distribution facilities to serve its customers. Santee Cooper performs regular maintenance on its Right of Way for safe and reliable operation of its utility system.
Santee Cooper maintains trees and other vegetation within and along its distribution Right of Way. You can do your part to help keep trees healthy and prevent power outages by planting the right tree in the right place.
Permissible/Non-permissible Guidelines
Planting Near Distribution Lines
Encroachment Agreement Request
Submit all distribution encroachment requests to Jentry.Ward@santeecooper.com.