HCE Voices – Meet Jeff Wissing

Where are you from?
Glenwood Springs

How long have you worked at HCE?
30 years this September

What’s your favorite area of our service territory?
Probably Ashcroft or Coal Basin in the fall

How has HCE’s approach to vegetation management concerning wildfire changed over the years?
The prolonged drought and severity of recent weather events have raised added concern over tree mortality and falls from trees outside of the easement. This creates increased wildfire risk. With the expansion of technology over the years, we no longer have to rely on organizational knowledge of trim cycles and problematic areas to assess risk. Remote sensing coupled with AI capabilities have increased situational awareness along our easement corridors. Now we are able find and treat risk in near real time scenarios. This increases our efficiency and productivity.

What can HCE members do to make sure their vegetation is not interfering with live power lines?
Members can assist Holy Cross by being aware of the vegetation on their property. Especially surrounding planting, always consider location and species when planting new trees. I call it “right tree, right place.” Consider species that will not encroach within 10 feet of lines at their mature height and width. Nurseries are very knowledgeable and can provide that information when selecting tree stock.