IURC orders IPL to suspend tree-trimming practices

Mary Ellen Gadski, a member of the Indianapolis Tree board, speaks at the IURC hearing in Indianapolis. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission has ordered Indianapolis Power & Light Co., to suspend its tree-trimming practices on private property until the state agency issues its final report.

The commission has suspended IPL’s “right to trim and remove trees located on customer’s property.” The commission filed its report Dec. 10.

The order of suspension comes after several public hearings the commission held this fall throughout the state to investigate consumer complaints about the tree-trimming practices of various utilities, including IPL and Duke Energy, formerly Public Service Indiana.

The commission agreed to investigate the issue following a complaint by Charles Goodman, an east side Indianapolis resident, and Jerry Baker, a Traders Point resident on the city’s northwest side.

“With the help of many, we have really achieved something here,” Baker said in an e-mail.

[download id=”15″  format=”2″]