New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 14 - PUBLIC UTILITIES
Chapter 5 - ELECTRIC SERVICE
Subchapter 9 - ELECTRIC UTILITY LINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Section 14:5-9.4 - Maintenance cycle

(a) An EDC shall perform an annual visual inspection of all energized conductors that are associated with a transmission line, to determine whether vegetation management is needed. The visual inspection may be performed from the ground except in cases where the conductor is not visible from the ground. The EDC shall take into account the height of the vegetation and the distance of the vegetation from the energized conductor, in determining whether vegetation management is needed.

(b) An EDC shall perform vegetation management on vegetation that is close enough to pose a threat to its energized conductors at least once every four years.

(c) In addition to the maintenance required in (b) above, if an EDC becomes aware of any vegetation, including hazard trees, close enough to its energized conductors to affect reliability or safety prior to the next required vegetation management activity the electric utility shall ensure that necessary vegetation management is promptly performed as required under 14:5-9.6 and 9.7 or 9.8, as applicable.

(d) If the EDC determines that vegetation described under (c) above poses an immediate safety hazard, the EDC shall not be subject to the notice requirements at 14:5-9.10. However, the EDC shall, to the extent practicable, make a reasonable effort to notify the customers and property owners described at 14:5-9.10(b)1 and 2 prior to performing the vegetation management.