California’s orchards are a vital part of the local economy, providing over half of the fruits and nuts we consume daily. The caretakers of these orchards work tirelessly to provide us with healthy, nutritious foods.
Tree nut growers play a dual role in the health and safety of the communities in which they live and work – providing food and promoting safety.
By planting new orchard trees that are compatible with power lines, growers can ensure safe and reliable power for the 16 million Northern and Central California residents who depend on it. Planting a new orchard is an important investment – one that growers consider carefully, after thorough thought and planning. It’s critical to position your plantings around power lines within the orchard planning process.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) works with growers to plan before they plant, identifying power line-friendly planting locations early in the orchard planning process to help growers maximize their investment. Together, tree nut growers and PG&E can reach safe solutions that help meet growers’ needs while protecting electric system reliability and making sure California communities remain safe.
In addition to keeping communities safe, a proactive approach to orchard planning helps growers avoid spending needlessly on land in incompatible areas. Irrigation systems and trees that lie in right-of-way areas will ultimately require removal.
Plan Before You Plant resources are available for growers to learn more about the importance of maintaining safe distances from transmission lines. Reach out early in your orchard planning process to schedule an orchard visit with an expert who can identify power line-friendly locations near transmission lines. For more information, visit www.pge.com/planbeforeplanting or call 1-800-743-5000.
