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Advanced LiDAR Technology Being Used to Enhance Vegetation Management Across FirstEnergy's Footprint
Advanced Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology has been deployed across FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) service area to more effectively manage hard-to-reach trees and vegetation along 7,100 miles of high-voltage power lines. The work began this month and will continue through the fall.
About this update from Firstenergy Corp.
[{"type":"text","content":"AKRON, Ohio, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Advanced Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology has been deployed across FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) service area to more effectively manage hard-to-reach trees and vegetation along 7,100 miles of high-voltage power lines. The work began this month and will continue through the fall.","length":341,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"image","alt":"LiDAR data is gathered along FirstEnergy transmission rights-of-way by a helicopter with equipment provided by GeoDigital International, Inc.","displaySize":"","headline":null,"caption":"LiDAR data is gathered along FirstEnergy transmission rights-of-way by a helicopter with equipment provided by GeoDigital International, Inc.","className":"","disableSlideshowImg":false,"size":{"original":{"width":400,"height":202,"url":"https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/3fa6de069fdbbc0f634a892216d1a76d"},"resized":{"url":"https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/ZlRqALdDDSc.qrYZlWm_jg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTcwNTtoPTM1NjtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/prnewswire.com/3fa6de069fdbbc0f634a892216d1a76d","width":400,"height":202}},"href":"https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2687332/FirstEnergy_LiDAR_Inspection.html","hrefExternal":true,"rel":"nofollow"},{"type":"text","content":"LiDAR inspections are conducted using helicopters equipped with laser-based sensors that scan the landscape from above. As the aircraft flies along the power line corridors, the system emits rapid laser pulses toward the ground and surrounding objects. These pulses bounce back to the sensor, providing detailed distance measurements that are used to create a highly accurate, 3D map of the terrain, power lines and nearby vegetation.","length":434,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"This process allows FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries to proactively identify trees and other vegetation that may be encroaching on power lines – data that's often difficult or dangerous to collect using traditional foot patrols. The LiDAR patrols create a more efficient way to review company rights-of-way. Once collected, the LiDAR data is analyzed to highlight areas that require maintenance, ensuring trees are trimmed before they can pose a threat to service reliability, particularly during severe weather.","length":516,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Ted Allan, Director of Vegetation M...