What does a utility vegetation management department primarily focus on?

The primary focus of a utility vegetation management department is ensuring safe vegetation growth near utilities. This involves managing the vegetation surrounding power lines and other utility infrastructure to prevent hazards such as outages, damage, or unsafe working conditions for both employees and the public. Proper vegetation management minimizes the risks of electrical outages caused by overgrown trees or shrubs that could come into contact with power lines, leading to potentially dangerous situations.

While generating profits and maintaining alignment of utility equipment are important aspects of utility operations, they are not the main focus of vegetation management. Instead, the department's core responsibility is to maintain a safe and healthy environment around utility facilities, which directly impacts overall service reliability and safety. Community outreach may be part of their efforts to educate the public about vegetation management practices and safety, but it does not encompass the primary focus of the department.