Inland Power and Light Continues To Use Cedar Poles

With more than 65 years of service with Western Red Cedar poles, Inland Power and Light is replacing some of their original

This single pole line east of Spokane, WA, is being replaced with new 60 ft. to 90 ft. Class 2, cedar poles carrying 115kV to serve new homes along the Spokane River. Most poles are 65 ft. to 75 ft. Poles for the new structure are lying in the snow awaiting installation.

poles with more cedar poles.

Why? "Sixty-five years of great service has proved to us that cedar is the best choice," says Dan Villalobos, marketing manager.

A new line near Cheney, WA, used Class 2 cedar poles, ranging from 40 ft. to 55 ft. to increase the capability of a line from a substation to existing lines.

Inland Power & Light. with headquarters in Spokane, WA, serves 13 counties in Northeastern Washington and Northern Idaho, has some 33,000 connections, and supplies about 700 million kilowatt hours a year. Their service area extends west to near Coulee City, WA, north to Newport, WA, 60 miles south of Pullman, WA, and east to the Idaho state line.

The cooperative has over 7,000 miles of line. Most of these are distribution lines — primarily 12.5 kV with almost 100 miles of 34.5 kV transmission line.

Some 105,000 cedar poles carry over 95% of Inland’s customer power supply. These cedar poles are full-length pentachlorophenol treated. A typical pole is 40 ft. tall, Class 4.

Cedar poles up to 90 ft. have been installed recently in a new line north of Davenport, WA, which will provide additional power for new homes along the Spokane River.

Bonneville Power Authority (BPA) supplies power to Inland Power & Light. Power generated by BPA is 70% hydro, 10% coal, 3% nuclear and 17% wind, cogeneration, imports and other resources.

Inland Power & Light uses Western Red Cedar poles because they have proven to be very cost effective, durable and require minimum maintenance.

In addition, many poles in their system are located in terrain where climbing is a necessity and their line-man prefer cedar for climbing. Other poles are in areas where they must be hand set, and cedar’s light weight aids when hand setting is required.

Unique Qualities of Western Red Cedar

Cedar is one of the best materials available for utility poles. Cedar’s heartwood produces chemical compounds called extractives that naturally resist decay. Treatment extends cedar’s inherent long service for 80 years or more, with little maintenance. Cedar’s life cycle cost is unmatched. It’s outstanding carrying capacity and flexibility allow poles to with-stand extreme weight and severe weather conditions. The straight grain and uniform texture of cedar mean virtually no twisting after installation. This minimizes pole fracture caused by severe weather or mechanical damage. Cedar’s lightweight makes handling and installation easier. Because cedar weighs about 30% less than other species, it is easier to handle and install. This can make a substantial cost difference when setting poles in difficult locations, or for helicopter installation. Crews prefer cedar for climbing. Climbing gaffs dig into cedar easily for safe and secure footing.

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Central Hudson Gas and Electric Uses Cedar in Electric Uses Cedar in NY State Preserve

Cedar H-frame structures in a 115kV line near Coldenham, NY, uses cedar poles ranging from 65 ft. to 85 ft.

A short distance from the Poughkeepsie, NY, headquarters of Central Hudson Gas & Electric, a Western Red Cedar pole transmission line passes through the beautiful Minnewaska State Park Preserve.

With many rare geological and ecological features, the preserve is situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge more than 2000 feet above sea level.

115 kV H-frame cedar pole structures in the preserve were kept low, to a maximum height of 35 ft., in an effort to blend with the surroundings.

A cedar H-frame in Minnewaska State Park Preserve where all the structures were installed by helicopter.

All of the cedar poles were placed by helicopter, and because of limited access with conventional equipment, trucks could not used. Most poles were placed in rock filled corrugated pipe bases. Some poles were fastened to rock outcroppings with rock anchors and some were placed in swamps.

Central Hudson Gas & Electric in Poughkeepsie, New York uses many cedar utility poles. A subsidiary of the CH Energy Group, Central Hudson was formed in 1926 from several operating utilities. The utility distributes electricity and natural gas in New York State from New York City suburbs North along the Hudson River.

Rock anchors help stabilize H-frame structures in the Minnewaska Preserve which are set in holes drilled into the rock outcroppings.

It serves a territory about 85 miles north and south and about 40 miles wide east and west. The area’s southern edge is some 25 miles from New York City and the northern edge is about 10 miles from Albany. The total area is 2,600 square miles with a population of about 663,000.

Central Hudson Gas & Electric has about 600 miles of 69kV, 115kV and 345kV transmission line, making extensive use cedar poles. All cedar poles are full-length, incised penta treated.

The oldest cedar poles in the utility system have been providing reliable service for about 80 years.

Central Hudson has been an industry leader in introducing new technology. For example, copper naphthenate saturated wraps were placed around the ground imbedded portion of the poles in swampy areas for additional protection.

The utility serves a diversified customer base that includes manufacturing plants, research firms, farms, resorts, general wholesale and retail operations, as well as households.

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Did You Know? * U.S. forests cover 747 million acres — or 33% of the land base. 67% of the total area of U.S. forest are commercial forests. * One acre of forest land gives off 4,280 pounds of oxygen in a year. * The U.S. forest products industry and private landowners reforest more than 14,000 square miles of forest annually.