Vegetation Management

Overview

The Vegetation Management Interest Group emphasizes vegetation program development and management, which includes justifying budgets, work planning, addressing regulatory issues, managing contractors, and setting standards and guidelines for the work.

Focus areas

Strategic Planning and Program Management
Technology, Equipment, and Products
Public and Social Opportunities
Environmental Contributions

This group is for

Vegetation managers, arborists, transmission and/or distribution line asset managers and engineers

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Technical Advisor Support

David Villa

Vegetation Management

David has more than 40 years of experience working with Fortune 200 companies including Eaton Corporation, Honeywell International, and Exelon Corporation and delivering transformational improvements and results as Director of Materials Management and Refurbishment Manufacturing, VP Sourcing, and Chief Supply Chain Officer. David was also the Chief Integration Officer responsible for the successful merger integration of a $32B company delivering over $.6B of synergy savings and the development of a merger playbook from which all subsequent merger integrations are being executed. Prior to joining CEATI, David developed and managed an internal consultancy as Vice President, Continuous improvement enabling benchmark operational performance and savings. David possesses extensive knowledge in strategic sourcing, materials management and operations and in delivering efficient, effective, predictable and sustainable processes, performance, and savings. David has a BS in Finance from Towson University, an MBA from the University of Baltimore and is a certified Lean Master.

Top Resources

BENCHMARKING TOOL

Vegetation Management Maturity Assessment Tool

We are in the process of developing an integrated vegetation management (IVM) maturity path. This IVM maturity path will: 1) Build upon the insights compiled in the IVM framework and from prior benchmarking sessions to help CEATI develop a tool that will enable members to benchmark the maturity of their IVM program against their peers. 2) Provide insights to enable assessment of process maturity across core IVM objectives and support the development of action plans to achieve the desired level of process proficiency and performance. The five categories for consideration in the maturity path are: continuous improvement, talent management, environmental stewardship and social responsibility, safety, and reliability.

BENCHMARKING TOOL AND PLAYBOOK

Biodiversity Protocol Development and Publication

Once complete, this project will provide an assessment tool for utilities to assess the maturity of their biodiversity programs and a playbook to help them develop and sustain a mature, effective, and compliant biodiversity program. The project will also present an understanding of the education and training required of an IVM organization to effectively develop, execute, and sustain a biodiversity program.

RESEARCH REPORT

Practical Use of Earth Imagery Using Satellites for Utility Vegetation Management

This report examines the extent to which satellite Earth observation (EO) data can currently be used to address the following vegetation management information needs: tree proximity to wires, identification of hazard trees, post-storm damage locations, tree growth rates, and tree inventory and mapping management units.

GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

Powerline Vegetation Management Best Practices within Boreal Forest Caribou Regions

This guidance document defines best practices for powerline vegetation management within boreal woodland caribou ranges to avoid or reduce potential impacts to caribou. To inform their recommendations, the research investigators referenced utility documents and current practices. They also conducted a literature review on woodland caribou policy, regulations, and general biology.

RESEARCH REPORT

The Business Case for Herbicide Use in Integrated Vegetation Management Programs

This study compares the cost of maintaining vegetation on electric transmission right of way (ROW) corridors with and without the use of herbicides. Three case studies were used to compare the cost of IVM, which includes the use of herbicides to control incompatible trees, to simply maintaining ROW vegetation by repeated cutting without the use herbicides. Least-cost economic analysis methods were used to determine the present value cost of each vegetation maintenance prescription over a 20-year evaluation period.