This document provides safety tips and information about PG&E's orchard removal incentive programs. It encourages keeping at least 20 feet away from power lines, calling 811 before digging, and contacting Bob Fratini to learn more about incentive programs for removing existing or newly planted orchards beneath high voltage transmission lines. The programs offer financial incentives to remove qualifying trees and aim to protect public safety and power reliability.

1. For more safety tips, please
visit pge.com/safety.
Always assume a downed
power line is energized
Be safe around power
lines!
• Look up!
• Keep at least 20 feet away
from power lines
• Irrigate with care
• Use caution when moving
agricultural equipment near
electrical lines
How can I learn more?
To find out if you qualify for
our Existing or Newly-Planted
Orchard Removal Incentive
Programs, contact Bob Fratini
at 916-781-3110 or
bob.fratini@pge.com.
Before you dig,
know what’s below
Call Underground Service Alert
(USA) at 811 at least two
working days before you dig.
Spotlight on Safety Service Reliability
Orchards and Reliable Power
Removal Incentive programs funding is limited, and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis. These programs will be available through
December 31, 2014, or until funding has been exhausted, whichever comes first. However, they may be extended based on funding availability for
future years. PG&E reserves the right to terminate the program at any time for any reason.
“PG&E” refers to Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. ©2014 Pacific Gas and Electric Company. All rights reserved. PG&E prints its materials with
soy-based inks on recycled paper. CSR-XXXX-XXX
Together, we can protect public safety and mitigate the risk of power
outages by proactively managing vegetation beneath high voltage electric
transmission lines.
What is PG&E Doing?
Walnut and almond orchards planted beneath Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s
(PG&E) high voltage electric transmission lines pose one of the greatest risks
to public safety and electric reliability. These trees can quickly grow tall enough
to come into contact with power lines, threatening public safety and causing
large scale power outages.
Each year, we inspect every mile of our electric transmission lines throughout our
service area to ensure 100 percent compliance of the Safety Buffer Zone. The Safety
Buffer Zone, or the necessary and mandated clearances between trees and electric
lines, is determined using three factors.
1. Movement of trees and conductors (sag and sway)
2. Legally required clearance distances
3. Expected annual regrowth of trees after trimming
Orchard Removal Incentive Program: Existing Orchards
Owners of existing, commercially-producing walnut and almond orchards with trees
planted under or adjacent to certain types of transmission lines may qualify for our
Orchard Removal Incentive Program. Under this program, PG&E offers a financial
incentive to have the trees removed from within the transmission line easement.
Newly-Planted Orchard Removal Incentive Program: New Orchards
Owners of newly-planted almond or walnut orchards with trees under or adjacent
to certain types of transmission lines may qualify for our Newly-Planted Orchard
Removal Incentive Program. You may qualify for a financial incentive to cover
the establishment cost of the newly-planted orchard trees that are cut down.
For more information about either of the incentive programs or to find out if you
qualify, contact Bob Fratini at 916-781-3110 or bob.fratini@pge.com.
Thank you
Thank you for your cooperation and
commitment to improving power line
safety and electric service reliability.