DMEA Takes to the Air for Reliability
Aerial Line Patrol Scheduled for September 28
Delta-Montrose Electric Association (DMEA) will conduct aerial line inspections across its service territory on September 28, 2022. Mountain Blade Runner of Montrose will conduct the patrol by helicopter.
Work will start at 8:00 a.m. in Montrose, and the flight pattern will proceed to Delta, Surface Creek, and Cedaredge, then through the North Fork Valley, and return to Montrose. The inspections are expected to conclude by mid-afternoon. Members may see and hear the inspection process, as the flights are typically low flying to allow for visual inspection.
Aerial line patrol is conducted regularly as part of DMEA’s system reliability program, which helps ensure the co-op delivers safe and reliable power to the homes and businesses in Montrose and Delta counties. Riding along with the pilot will be DMEA linemen who look for potential problems with lines and equipment on DMEA’s system before they cause power outages. Crew members will visually inspect DMEA’s pole structures, wires, and other equipment, looking for damage, wear and tear, and overgrown vegetation.
In total, DMEA will inspect more than 160 miles of power lines across all portions of the service territory, coming away with an overall status of its distribution grid and a better maintenance plan.
About DMEA
Delta-Montrose Electric Association is a member-owned rural electric cooperative. Located in southwest Colorado, DMEA provides safe, reliable, and affordable electric service to approximately 29,000 members, primarily in Montrose and Delta counties. DMEA is a progressive and forward-thinking electrical distribution cooperative dedicated to meeting the diverse energy needs of its members. Learn more at dmea.com.
