COLUMN: It's a safety issue

For the most part, we take utility poles for granted. We drive by row after row of them, but how often do we think about utility poles? Yet these silent sentinels - often under attack in our community - are critical to Aiken Electric Cooperative's mission of delivering safe, reliable and affordable power.

Co-ops nationwide, including Aiken Electric, own and maintain more than 2.5 million miles of distribution lines stretching across two-thirds of America. Electric cooperatives rely on more than 41 million utility poles to deliver these lines, and these staunch supporters of electricity are under constant attack from the elements - storms, woodpeckers, insects, moisture and harsh soils. But people play a part in pole erosion, too.

I can't tell you how many times I've driven by a pole and noticed yard sale signs or ads tacked to the base. Did you know it's illegal to attach unauthorized items to poles? In addition, the staples and nails left in the poles are very dangerous for the workers who must climb these poles during an emergency.

We don't want abandoned nails or tacks ripping through protective gloves, leaving the lineworker potentially exposed to thousands of volts of energy. Even when nails are removed, the leftover holes provide easy entry for bugs and water, causing a pole that should have lasted four decades or more to weaken much faster.

The law states a person violating S.C. Code Section 57-25-10 is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days.

We need your help. If you notice anyone trying to attach something to a utility pole, let him/her know it's dangerous and against the law. Whenever we see an illegal attachment - whether it's a flier, satellite dish, a birdhouse, a basketball hoop, deer stand or anything else - our employees will remove it and are not responsible for any damage caused to the unauthorized item.

Together we can work to protect the safety of our lineworkers and prolong the life span of the silent sentinels that provide us with safe, reliable and affordable electric service.

- Gary Stooksbury has been CEO at Aiken Electric Cooperative since 1995.