Transmission Rights-of-Way Restrictions

Before Construction within the Transmission Rights-of-Way

• Verify that what you are proposing is allowed by all legal documents including easements, rights-of-ways, deeds, etc.
• Verify that your proposed project will not be a safety issue. You must consider all applicable Electrical Codes as clearance from electrical conductors, etc. must be considered.
• Completely fill out form #ENC 001- FirstEnergy Encroachment/Crossing Request. Provide a complete description of the project and GPS coordinates in decimal degrees.
• With your completed form #ENC-001, provide complete engineering drawings and/or details of the proposed work. An example drawing is available here. 

Working Safety Restrictions

• Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) safe-working clearance from a person or any conductive object to the energized bare wires shall be maintained at all times. CONDUCTIVE OBJECTS DO NOT HAVE TO MAKE PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THE CONDUCTORS FOR ELECTRICITY TO FLOW IN UNWANTED DIRECTIONS.
• The line shall be considered energized at all times.
• NOTICE: Conductor position changes continuously depending on load, ambient temperature, wind speed, etc. The developer/contractor is responsible for monitoring conductor position to determine OSHA safe-working clearance.
• Parking or operating a vehicle or equipment within or adjacent to the right-of-way may induce an electric charge. Induced electric charges may also be imposed on objects such as fences, signs, or any other conductive object. It is the responsibility of the developer to satisfy themselves on the necessity of grounding and to ensure that a proper grounding system designed by registered design professional is in place, if applicable. Construction vehicles and equipment operating near transmission lines may also require grounding.
  

Right-of-Way Access

• FirstEnergy-authorized personnel, vehicles and equipment must have continuous access to the right-of-way and all FirstEnergy structures.
• All objects or equipment left within the rights-of-way are subject to removal. FirstEnergy is not responsible for the repair or replacement of anything in the transmission rights-of-way damaged or destroyed because of emergency or maintenance operations.
  
• FirstEnergy reserves the right to inspect at any time construction or other activities within the rights-of-ways, easements, or property owned by FirstEnergy.
  

Right-of-Way Restrictions

• Consents and/or easements for any utility, access road, etc. will be limited to a maximum of 20 feet in width within the FirstEnergy rights-of-way unless provisions are defined in the easements, deeds, etc.
• Changes to grade elevations within the FirstEnergy transmission right-of-way are NOT permitted. Ground disturbance or excavations are NOT permitted within 50 feet of any FirstEnergy structure (poles, towers, guys, etc). In the event that the easement width from the structure foundation is less than 50’, the distance from the structure to the edge of the easement will be the distance used.
• Protective barriers must be used for any driveways, access roads, or parking areas, etc., within 25 feet of any FirstEnergy structure (poles, towers, guys, etc).
• Rights-of-way, temporary easements, limits of disturbance, limits of construction, etc., shall NOT include transmission or distribution structures within its limits.
• Unless legal documents make provisions for such, no buildings, lighting fixtures, signs, billboards, swimming pools, decks, flag posts, sheds, barns, garages, playgrounds, fences or other structures are permitted within the right-of-way. Other restrictions may apply for specific situations. Septic systems, leach beds, and/ or wells are not permitted within a FirstEnergy transmission right-of-way.
• Kite flying, model airplane flying, or similar activity, is strictly prohibited on or near FirstEnergy transmission right-of-way.
• When utilities are approved and installed in the FirstEnergy rights-of-ways/easements, etc., visible markers identifying the utility, owner and contact information must be installed on each side of the right-of-way or at no greater than 300 foot intervals. Provide on the plans the exact location of the pipeline including GPS latitude and longitude coordinates in decimal degrees. Also, provide on the drawings, pipe diameter, pipe depth, pipe material, dimensions from the structure/s, rights-of-ways, property lines, etc.
• The installation of "Danger – Overhead Electric Lines" signs are recommended in the area of the transmission rights-of-way. Please reference the “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” at www.mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/* for appropriate signs, etc.
• Damage to any FirstEnergy facilities during the proposed construction must be reported immediately to the Contact Center.
• Unless legal documents make provisions for such, blasting is not permitted within the FirstEnergy rights-of-ways or easements. No explosive or combustible liquid, substance, or material shall be stored within the right-of-way. Prohibited materials include but are not limited to: fuel, wood chips, mulch, brush, and tires, etc.
• No soil piles or other materials shall be placed or stored under the transmission-line conductors at any time.
• Whatever disturbances are caused during construction must be restored to an equal to or better than before construction condition within 7 days of completion. All areas of exposed soil must be reseeded and mulched within 7 days of completion.
• All vegetation on or adjacent to the right-of-way shall be low growing. Vegetation that promotes a low-growing plant community of grasses, herbs and shrubs that are 3-5 foot maximum mature height, (3-foot in N.J.) are permitted on FirstEnergy transmission rights of way, however it is preferred that the planting of any woody vegetation be done outside the wire zone of transmission facilities. (The wire zone is the area directly under the conductors and extending to about 15’ on each side.) All approved shrubbery planted near FirstEnergy structures (poles, towers, guys, etc.) shall allow for working area and accessibility at ground level. (No closer than 10-feet from the structure, in any direction).
• FirstEnergy has installed counterpoise on numerous structure locations. The exact locations are not marked in the field. Should the counterpoise be disturbed or damaged, it is the responsibility of the developer and/or its subcontractors, to immediately notify the Company’s Manager, Transmission Engineering by calling the Contact Center. Cost of repairs for damaged FirstEnergy facilities will be the responsibility of the developer/contractor.
• For pipeline requests to run parallel to the FirstEnergy easement/rights-of-way, pipelines shall be located as close as possible to the edge of the right-of-way. Parallel runs should be outside the rights-of-way, but with approval, can be allowed to run within 10 feet of the outside edge of the right-of-way, maximum. That includes the limits of trenching.
• If possible, it is recommended that the pipelines be non-metallic.
• Pipelines or related appurtenances shall not be placed within 50 feet of a transmission structure, guy, anchor, etc. In the event that the outside edge of the FirstEnergy Easement to the transmission structure measures less than 50 feet, that distance will be used. Guy anchors cannot be compromised by construction.
• It is possible that the requestor will be required to reimburse FirstEnergy for analytical and engineering expenses. Fees may also be required for use of any FirstEnergy owned properties.
• The double-ditch method should be utilized for pipeline construction. As the excavations commence, the topsoil is to be placed on one side of the trench and the subsoil to the other side.
• Applicable permitting for any construction or operational activities associated with the project conducted on the FirstEnergy easement/rights-of-way is the responsibility of the developer.
• Download encroachment brochure here.

Real Estate/ROW Applications

• If you desire to cross, work within, or encroach upon a High-Voltage Transmission right-of-way and you are in the service territory of:
  • The Illuminating Company
  • Ohio Edison
  • Toledo Edison
  • Penn Power
  • Penelec
  • Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed)
  • West Penn Power
  • Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L)
  • Mon Power
  • Potomac Edison

Click here: Real Estate/ROW Request Form
Form must be completed entirely, submitted for review, and written consent provided before construction begins. All information needs to be mailed to 76 S Main Street, Akron OH 44308 or emailed to FERealEstate@firstenergycorp.com.

Depending upon the magnitude of the project, please submit and allow 45 days or more for the Legal Consent. Please allow more time for larger projects.

 

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