Members may see crews inspecting utility poles across the co-op’s service area in the coming months ...

Members may see crews inspecting utility poles across the co-op's service area in the coming months as part of an effort to strengthen reliability and ensure outside companies - not members - pay their share for using co-op infrastructure.

The audit, conducted by Alpine Communications, will cover approximately 242,000 poles across the six districts over an eight-month timeframe, with field work expected to wrap up in late October or early November. Crews will move from pole to pole documenting equipment attached by cable and telecommunications providers and gathering updated information about each pole.

The work plays an important role in maintaining a reliable electric system. When equipment is attached to a pole without proper review, it can add weight and stress. As part of the audit process, engineers evaluate those attachments to ensure poles are not overloaded and can withstand the kind of high winds seen during major storms and hurricanes.

The project will also help ensure that companies attaching equipment to co-op poles are following industry standards and are billed accurately. Under updated agreements, each individual attachment is counted separately, creating a more accurate accounting of pole use.

In the past, multiple pieces of equipment from the same company could be counted as a single attachment. The updated process ensures all companies are held to the same standard.

Crews will not be performing electrical work or interrupting service. Their role is limited to observing, documenting and photographing poles and attached equipment.

Members can expect to see Alpine crews in neighborhoods throughout the service area. Workers will be clearly identified with Alpine gear, ID badges and vehicles marked as co-op contractors. Anyone with questions or who would like to verify crews in their area can call 1-800-224-4917.

The audit is conducted approximately every five years and is paid for by the telecommunications and cable companies that attach to co-op poles - not by members.