Mar 22, 2016 3 min read

First Energy, the parent corporation of West Penn Power, is presently cutting trees along the Bethel Park Trail that, in the opinion of trail volunteers, should not be cut. The trees are either too far away from the power lines to threaten them if they fall or of a species that will not grow tall enough to threaten the power lines.

Since 1997, The Montour Trail in Bethel Park has had an easement from West Penn Power to have a trail on power company property. Since that time, the power company and trail have lived in harmony. The power company cut down trees that might threaten the power lines and the trail volunteers built and maintained a trail that gave the power company maintenance workers and tree cutters easy access to their work. It also provided a beautiful tree-lined lane for thousands of people annually from the surrounding communities.

On February 11, 2016, the Bethel Trail board met with First Energy representatives who revealed that First Energy would start removing all trees and tall bushes that are within 65 feet, centered on the power poles – this would include every tree of every species. The First Energy representatives were adamant, there would be no negotiating. They referred to “industry standards” that did not permit exceptions. They said that their cutting plan, applied throughout their network, would assure a safe and reliable supply of electric power to thousands of people. What they failed to mention is the true reason for this new clear cutting plan: it is expected to reduce the cost of managing power line right of way vegetation. The Bethel Trail volunteers applaud the power company’s efforts at efficient management, but at the same time hold that the same clear cutting plan that is good management in an undeveloped wilderness should not be used on a community trail in a fully developed residential area.

The Bethel Trail volunteer board asked why First Energy would apply their clear cut plan to a community trail that is akin to a municipal park. Could they not make an exception and spare those trees that are within the 65-feet clear-cut zone, yet by any application of common sense, could not harm the power cables? This question was put to the following First Energy executives: Mr. Charles Jones, CEO; Mr. David Karafa, VP, Systems Distribution Support; and Mr. Mark Contat, general manager of Vegetation, all of whom refused to even consider to negotiate an exception.

First Energy is trying to rebrand itself from an old smokey power company into a defender of the environment. They have launched a promotion called “The Switch Is On.” This multimillion dollar “smoke screen” features green energy and CO2 reduction. Yet, their plan is to clear-cut trees from the Bethel Park Trail, eliminating every tree and tall bush and poison the vegetation to prevent regrowth. This hypocrisy brings to mind the term “corporate arrogance.” They have the authority to impose their unbridled stupidity, and the public be damned.

Isn’t it interesting that of the vast bureaucracy of state and federal agencies who spend billions of dollars to protect and regulate our resources and environment, there is not one who is available to arbitrate this issue?

Robert O’Connell

Vice Pres. Bethel Park Trail