Area residents need not be alarmed if they see low-flying helicopters hovering around Tampa Electric power lines this week. It’s part of the company’s inspections of distribution equipment.
Beginning Wednesday, a low-flying helicopter will conduct aerial surveys of a small portion of Tampa Electric’s power lines. A helicopter will fly up to 300 feet above ground while workers inspect equipment using high-definition video equipment, infrared technology or traditional cameras. Crews will survey about 500 miles of Tampa Electric’s power lines.
Work will begin Wednesday morning and will continue for about a week during daylight hours. The survey will be complete by Dec. 13, weather permitting. Tampa Electric has hired SAM LLC, of Austin, Texas, to conduct the inspections.
The inspections are taking place along Tampa Electric’s urban and rural rights of way. Some inspections will take place within view of area roads and neighborhoods. Local law enforcement officials have been notified.
The inspections are part of the company’s ongoing maintenance of equipment to provide customers with the highest level of reliability.
Tampa Electric, one of Florida’s largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves more than 800,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
