Koshlong Lake Power Reliability Update

• The Issue: High-risk "radial" tap lines and dense canopy (hemlock/pine) cause frequent, prolonged blackouts on the North Shore, worsened by narrow access roads that trap Hydro One repair crews. See below for map of power distribution around Koshlong.
• The Policy: Hydro One maintains primary roadside lines, but cottage owners are fully responsible for clearing trees along private secondary lines (from the road pole to the cottage). Hydro One will cut trees growing within 3 meters on either side of the main hydro line. Trees which are beyond that 3 meter range are the cottage owner’s responsibility; if the cottage owner cuts these trees down and they fall on the power line, they could be liable for repair costs. Hence the suggestion that qualified arborists be contracted to take care of problematic trees.
• Action 1 – Access Impediment Hazard Ticket: Report dead or leaning trees blocking primary lines or crew access roads via the Hydro One Online Trimming Portal.  https://www.hydroone.com/request-a-service/tree-trimming
  Use the phrase: "Dead hazard tree threat to primary tap line, high-risk bottleneck zone with zero alternate crew access."
• Action 2 – Multi-Day Reliability Dispute: If your road group suffers consecutive, multi-day outages outside of major storms, unite with neighbours to file a Group Multi-Day Reliability Dispute through the Hydro One Ombudsman to trigger a formal line investigation.   The Hydro One Ombudsman is an independent office of last resort that handles unresolved complaints. You can reach them at 1-844-608-8756 or Ombudsman@HydroOne.com. Before contacting them, you must first escalate your issue through Hydro One's Customer Communications Centre at 1-888-664-9376. In order to initiate a dispute, each cottage owner must supply their address, HydroOne policy number, and dates and times during which power was interrupted. Currently,  the KLA does not feel comfortable collecting and storing this personal information.  Smaller groups of cottage owners are welcome to band together to undertake this if they desire and are willing to share their data.
• Action 3 – Clear Private Lines: Coordinate with your neighbours to hire a certified arborist for private driveway lines. (note the comments under the Policy section above) Hydro One provides one free temporary power disconnect per year for safe cutting.
• Action 4 – Log Every Outage: Report all blackouts immediately at 1-800-434-1235 or the Storm Centre. Hydro One prioritizes funding based on reported data.

Other notes currently related to Koshlong Lake:

Regularly scheduled clearing has evolved from 7-10 years to 3-5 years to currently as needed determined by cottage owners’ reports;

Our lines have recently been cleared of brush;

Older and shorter poles are currently being replaced to allow for the heavier cable required for broadband;

Cottagers who have signed up with Hydro One for notifications have received word that power will be interrupted in the near future while work on the wires is being undertaken.