ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Asheville residents have filed more complaints in recent months about how Duke Energy is trimming trees growing near power lines.
Asheville Tree Commission Chairman Mike Kenton told the Asheville Citizen-Times (https://avlne.ws/SF8Sfh ) that he usually gets about one complaint a year, but has heard at least half a dozen in 2014.
Mary Lynn Christian says the tree trimming made her neighborhood look like a war zone and is taking out trees unnecessarily.
Duke Energy spokeswoman Paige Layne says the utility knows the work is unpopular, but it must be done. A recent study found 90 percent of weather-related power outages are caused by trees or branches hitting power lines.
The Tree Commission has no authority over Duke Energy, but helps get the utility and residents together to talk.
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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, https://www.citizen-times.com
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