Eric Eriksen, VP, Engineering Operations, Northwest Lineman College
Promoting avian safety is a critical part of our business. Utility companies recognize that birds flying into power lines can cause wildfires, damage equipment, and interrupt service. Mitigating these power line hazards and protecting our birds of prey have become an essential part of utilities’ design plans.
Electric utilities recognize that promoting avian safety is a critical part of their business. When birds fly into power lines, they can cause wildfires, damage equipment, and interrupt service. T&D World magazine reported in 2015 that 25% of distribution line outages were caused by birds connecting with power lines. Over the years, mitigating these power line hazards has become an essential part of utilities’ design plans.
I never imagined how important avian protection would be for my career. Fresh out of college I started as a utility engineer in Alaska during the mid-90s. This was about the time the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) released its 1996 edition of Suggested Practices for Avian Protection on Power Lines. Alaska, known for natural beauty and wildlife—including the bald eagle—took to heart that power lines were a detriment to avian wildlife. It was time to pursue better power-line design practices. In the following years, countless innovations would lead to more avian-friendly power lines. Protective polymer coverings now shield energized high-contact points from avian collisions and save power companies from outages while simultaneously protecting local wildlife.
In April 2021, while campus president at Northwest Lineman College, I received a call from Heather Meuleman, the vice president for development with The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey. “Have you heard about The Peregrine Fund and the new Idaho Power Flight Lab hawk exhibit we’re building?” Heather asked as she introduced herself. “I think there might be great synergy with NLC’s mission.” I hadn’t heard of the organization but listened as she passionately explained her ties to the World Center for Birds of Prey, APLIC, and avian power line research pioneers Morley Nelson and Dr. Tom Cade.
Heather explained a plan to build a hawk flight exhibit around a model power line for a new STEM-learning opportunity. She asked if I thought NLC students would be interested in a tour to learn more about avian safety in the power industry. I did, as I know NLC is constantly working to provide learning opportunities for pre-apprentice lineworker program students.
Soon after, in June of 2021, a group of NLC students, instructors, and curriculum developers toured The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey for the first time. Red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, vultures, and even an intense-looking harpy eagle were just a few of the many birds available to see. Along the tour were informational narratives and graphical renderings showing the future hawk flight exhibit. “This exhibit will tell the story of local falconer and conservation hero, Morley Nelson, and our local energy company, Idaho Power, working together to stop a common threat to birds of prey—
electrocution,” said Tate Mason, director of the World Center for Birds of Prey, “not only here in Idaho but around the world.” Engaged students were asking questions about birds and the safe power line construction model.
They were excited to learn that their new career would have a positive impact on both the public and the environment. Over the next several months NLC supported the partnership between The Peregrine Fund, Idaho Power, Kaddas Enterprises, APLIC, Hatch Design Architecture, and Jordan-Wilcomb Construction.
It was a cold 21°F the morning of February 4, 2022, when everyone gathered to observe the installation of the model power poles, crossarms, insulators, conductor, transformer, and avian protection equipment. Idaho Power crew foremen directed NLC students as they climbed higher up the poles. It was their first public service opportunity to demonstrate newly acquired knowledge and skills. Students worked steadily as observers struggled to stay warm.
Birds value these power line structures that provide a high perch to keep an eye out for predators or prey, among other qualities. However, they are unaware of related hazards.
What do birds and power lines have in common? We can find them both as we look up toward the sky. Their symbiotic relationship is not a surprise considering they share the same airspace and commanding views. Birds value these power line structures that provide a high perch to keep an eye out for predators or prey, among other qualities. However, they are unaware of related hazards. The hawk flight lab exhibit at the World Center for Birds of Prey will help educate people about avian-safe power line design and construction.
The crowd cheered as a final step was completed: a piece of tie wire held the conductor to an insulator. Everyone gathered around, overwhelmed with accomplishment, knowing countless global visitors for years ahead will be pausing to observe and support a safe coexistence with raptors like the red-tailed hawk named Phoenix who will call the new exhibit her home.
The Handline Magazine
This story was originally published in Northwest Lineman College’s The Handline Magazine, Summer 2022 issue.
