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Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009
Tip List: Is power pole in bad shape? Tipster says yes, PG&E says no
For nearly a decade Daniel Sanchez has been eyeing a rotting electrical pole that stands in front of his property on East Gerard Avenue.
Sanchez, who owns a nursery at 5881 E. Gerard Ave., said the pole is a menace and could fall onto his trees or passing cars. "It's rotting away. Someone could get electrocuted," he said. "It needs to be replaced."
I dropped by the property to see for myself.
Merced Sun-Star - Daniel Sanchez stands beside an old electrical pole along East Gerard Avenue outside of Merced.
Sanchez walked me along the road and pointed out the pole in question. It wasn't in good shape. Not only were the electrical lines drooping, but the pole itself looked as if it had passed its expiration date long ago. The skinny wooden structure looked like an emaciated stick. Deep cracks ran up and down its length, and it made a hollow sound when I kicked it.
Sanchez said he told Pacific Gas and Electric Co. about the pole a decade ago. Nothing was done. A couple years later during a storm, a nearby pole fell and started a fire along his fence line.
When I called PG&E's spokeswoman, Nicole Liebelt, she told me the pole in front of Sanchez's place was one of the company's poles. But she said whether it needs replacement is another issue.
"What may appear to a person who is not in the energy industry as a pole in need of repair may not be in need of repair," she said. "What you see on the surface of a pole may not necessarily dictate that the core of the pole is damaged or not in good working order."
In this PG&E division, which includes Madera, Mariposa, Merced and parts of Stanislaus and Fresno counties, there are more than 300,000 poles, she said. The company's annual maintenance of those poles includes looking at what needs replacement. If there are repairs needed, workers usually immediately replace items. They replace roughly 250 to 300 poles a year. They do a visual inspection of every pole they own about every two years, she said. The average life of a pole is from 30 to 50 years.
She said they sent someone out to look at the pole and it is not in need of repair. They did a core test on it in 2004 and it is still in good shape, she said.
What is wrong: An electric pole on East Gerard Avenue looks past its prime and in need of replacement.
Who is at fault: PG&E, but they say the pole is fine.
Tip off the tip list!
If you see something broken or in need of repair in your neighborhood, call the Sun-Star Tip List reporter, Jonah Owen Lamb, with your tips at (209) 385-2484 or e-mail jlamb@mercedsun-star.com.
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