“Don’t look down” is a common refrain for people who are afraid of heights.

If you’ve ever climbed a tall tree, scaled a ladder to clean your gutters, or even changed a lightbulb, you probably felt some unease contemplating all that could go wrong if you slipped and fell. The stakes are even higher for the brave men and women who are working to maintain PECO’s high-voltage transmission towers, many of which soar to heights of more than 100 feet!

PECO operates and maintains 190 electric transmission lines, and half of these lines are supported by metal towers that require special paint to prevent rust and corrosion. Over time with exposure to the elements, this paint can chip away and rust inevitably begins to spread, creating an eyesore that will also shorten the life of that structure.

As part of preventative maintenance, PECO engineers conduct regular inspections throughout our service area to identify towers in need of remediation, utilizing advanced equipment including drones.

PECO is planning to repaint approximately 70 transmission towers throughout southeastern Pennsylvania in 2024, with many located within Bucks County. Last month, crews were focused on a line of transmission towers running through Bristol Township. These towers were last painted in 1995, and the anticipated lifespan of the new paint is expected to be 20-30 years.

Refurbishing a soaring transmission tower is a daunting task, and not a job for your average painter. Specialized contractors are required to ensure that the work is completed safely and efficiently. Aside from the need for ropes, harnesses, and the paint itself, the contractors must be capable of safely working near high-voltage transmission lines, which remain energized during this process to avoid power interruptions for nearby residents and businesses. Crews must also consider access to the sites — many of these transmission lines are located near highways, railroads, and other areas that may be difficult to reach, and careful planning is required.

Once access is secured, crews must strip any loose paint and corrosion and apply an epoxy-based seal coat to ensure that the new paint has a clean surface to adhere to. This is a two-day process, and a well-trained crew can paint approximately 10 poles each week.

PECO is investing approximately $9.3 billion during the next five years across its electric and natural gas systems to complete targeted system enhancements and corrective maintenance, invest in new equipment, inspect equipment, and perform necessary tree trimming and other vegetation management.

Learn more about how PECO’s continued infrastructure investments help it meet the growing energy demands of customers and support future growth and development.