The second half of the episode launches the very first "Things We Like" giveaway segment, featuring three Davey-green Seiko watches selected with Davey Tree and discussed in classic UVM Podcast fashion. Steve, Nick, and Jack dive into the history and unique character of the Seiko Alpinist, Presage Cocktail Time "Mojito," and the legendary King Turtle diver, connecting the watches to field work, craftsmanship, military history, movies, and even vintage Davey retirement Rolexes from the 1960s. The episode also includes giveaway details, Davey "mystery" swag bags, and special support from Exquisite Timepieces and Mirage Luxury Travel, making this one of the most unique episodes the podcast has produced to date.

About the Guest

Jack McCabe is Vice President and General Manager of Utility Vegetation Management at Davey Resource Group, the environmental consulting and engineering subsidiary of The Davey Tree Expert Company. He joined Davey in 1999 as a supervising consulting utility forester, after four years in the industry with a competitor and an earlier career as a city planner working on natural resource planning, hillside preservation, and riparian corridor management. He holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and is an ISA Certified Arborist and ISA Certified Utility Specialist. He is a former director of the Utility Arborist Association, a former board president of the California Urban Forests Council, and a six-time Tour des Trees rider. Davey Tree, founded in 1880, employs more than 12,000 people across the United States and Canada.

Things We Like Segment – Watches!

The "Things We Like" segment is a new experimental feature on The UVM Podcast that we are testing to see whether listeners enjoy this different style of episode and want us to continue doing more of them in the future. The concept is simple: Steve and Nick sit down and talk about products, gear, tools, technology, watches, books, and other items they genuinely find interesting, useful, well made, historically significant, or simply enjoyable to own and use. Many of the items naturally connect to the culture and realities of the Utility Vegetation Management industry, field work, travel, and the lifestyles of the people who work in and around the utility world. Some episodes may focus on rugged field gear, others on craftsmanship, innovation, history, or just things that make people smile when they use them. This first episode featuring Davey Tree and the three green Seiko watches is our way of testing the concept and seeing what listeners think.

To Enter the drawing:

For this first "Things We Like" giveaway episode, listeners can enter to win one of the three featured Davey green Seiko watches along with additional prizes and swag. See descriptions, photos, videos, and links below.

To enter, make sure to subscribe to the podcast and then send one email to podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com with your contact information and clearly list the three watches in the order you would prefer to receive them (first choice, second choice, and third choice). The first winner drawn will receive their first-choice watch. The second winner drawn will receive either their first or second choice depending on availability, and the third winner will receive the remaining watch. Winners will be selected randomly approximately three weeks after the episode release date. The winners' names will be posted on the web and the winners will also be contacted directly after the drawing. All shipping and handling for the watches will be provided by Exquisite Timepieces. Note, depending on the country or location of the winner, separate VAT charges, import duties, taxes, customs fees, or related charges may apply, and those costs will be the sole responsibility of the winner.

We would like to thank Davey Tree for helping select the three watches featured in this giveaway and for generously purchasing the watches for our listeners. Thanks to Davey Tree, each of the 3 winners will also receive "mystery" Davey swag bags. And finally, each winner will receive a watch travel case, embossed with "The UVM Podcast" logo, from our friends at Mirage Luxury Travel.

Links from This Episode

The three watches

Seiko Prospex Alpinist SPB121 — green sunray dial, 200m water resistance, 70-hour power reserve, internal compass bezel Seiko Presage Cocktail Time Mojito SRPE45 — green textured dial, 38.5mm, 41-hour power reserve, brown leather with deployment clasp Seiko Prospex King Turtle SRPE05 — green dial, 200m water resistance, ceramic bezel, cushion case with crown at four o'clock

Also mentioned

Davey Technology and Software Solutions for Utilities ResourceKeeper The Davey SEED Campus Exquisite Timepieces — authorized dealer, handling watch logistics and shipping Mirage Luxury Travel — watch cases for the three winners Tour des Trees, TREE Fund — annual charity cycle ride

Sponsor

This episode of The UVM Podcast is made possible by our commercial sponsor, Davey:

Davey Resource Group is a premier provider of environmental consulting, utility vegetation management, and utility asset management services. As a subsidiary of The Davey Tree Expert Company, they leverage the strength of more than 12,000 professionals to deliver sustainable, technology-driven solutions across North America. Backed by their parent company's respected legacy in arboriculture and long-standing commitment to safety, research, and innovation, Davey Resource Group offers specialized services including remote sensing, GIS integration, work management software, reliability services, infrastructure engineering, and comprehensive environmental planning. To learn more about their utility-focused capabilities, please visit their Davey Utility Solutions page.

We appreciate their continued support of industry education and conversation.

Continuing Educational Units (CEUs) are available for this episode

Navigate to the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) website and fill out the quiz to claim you CEUs ---> https://member.gotouaa.org/surveys/default.asp?id=ISA-26-924 

Show Notes

This episode features an engaging discussion with Ron Adams and Shawn Standish. Stephen Cieslewicz and Nick Ferguson explore leadership, strategic planning, the evolution of Utility Vegetation Management, the lasting impact of the 2003 Northeast Blackout, the implementation of NERC FAC-003, organizational change, wildfire mitigation, and practical advice for both utilities and technology providers seeking to engage with utilities. The conversation combines decades of industry experience with practical lessons that can be applied by utility leaders, field personnel, consultants, regulators, and vendors.

About the Guests

Ron Adams spent his career with Duke Energy, one of the largest investor owned electric utilities in North America, serving millions of electric customers across six states with one of the nation's largest transmission and distribution systems. During his tenure he held numerous leadership positions, including responsibility for all Transmission and Distribution Utility Vegetation Management activities. Ron has been a respected leader in advancing utility reliability, strategic Utility Vegetation Management, organizational leadership, and operational excellence. Throughout the industry he is recognized for his thoughtful approach to leadership, change management, and building high performing organizations. While only partially retired, Ron is currently consulting with utilities and service providers.

Shawn Standish built a similarly distinguished career with FirstEnergy, one of the nation's largest investor owned electric utilities, serving more than six million customers across the Midwest and Mid Atlantic regions. During his career he led major Utility Vegetation Management initiatives across a large and diverse electric system while helping improve system reliability, operational performance, and risk management. Today, as a consultant, Shawn continues to work with utilities across North America, combining practical field experience with strategic leadership to help organizations strengthen their vegetation management programs and adapt to an evolving industry.

Together, Ron and Shawn represent more than seventy years of combined Utility Vegetation Management leadership, having managed programs serving millions of customers and overseeing vegetation management across tens of thousands of miles of transmission and distribution lines. Their perspectives come from decades of making real world decisions at two of the largest electric utilities in the United States.

Topics Discussed

1. Leadership and mentorship
2. Building an effective Utility Vegetation Management strategy
3. Lessons learned from the 2003 Northeast Blackout
4. The impact of NERC FAC 003
5. Organizational change and leadership
6. Wildfire mitigation
7. Working effectively with technology providers
8. The future of Utility Vegetation Management

Sponsors

This episode of The UVM Podcast is made possible by our commercial sponsors:

Celerity Utility Solutions
Clear Path Utility Solutions LLC

We appreciate their continued support of industry education and conversation.

This is the first of a six-part series recorded live at the Grid Resilience Summit, a half-day industry event organised by LiveEO. Hosts Nick Ferguson and Steve Cieslewicz hand over to moderator Patrick Hollenbeck for a keynote and Q&A with Caroline Thomas Jacobs, Director of California's Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety — known as Energy Safety.

Caroline has appeared on the UVM Podcast before: she was the very first guest when the show launched. Her return here marks another milestone — this is the UVM Podcast's inaugural video episode after four years of audio-only production since 2021.

About Energy Safety
Energy Safety was created in 2020 in direct response to the catastrophic utility-caused wildfires of 2017 and 2018, which killed over 100 people and destroyed more than 25,000 structures. Its core mission: review and approve annual Wildfire Mitigation Plans submitted by California's electric utilities, oversee their implementation through audits and field inspections, and drive the cultural change inside utilities needed to truly integrate fire risk into how they build, operate, and maintain the grid.

Crucially, Energy Safety was designed not to be a traditional penalty-based regulator. The focus is on continuous improvement and learning — holding utilities accountable to developing new capabilities, not just meeting minimum standards.

What's working
Five years in, the data is encouraging. Total ignitions in California's High Fire Threat Districts in 2024 were down 18% on the seven-year average, and down 34% compared to 2020. Utilities have invested billions in grid hardening — covered conductor, undergrounding, remote sensing devices — and have deployed satellite imagery, LIDAR, and AI-driven risk modelling to transform how they manage vegetation and assess asset condition. A mandatory performance metrics regime means utilities must now demonstrate that their mitigations are reducing risk, not just describe what they're doing.

As Caroline puts it: utilities were never going to cut their way out of the wildfire problem. They had to innovate their way out.

Landscape-scale coordination
California's Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force — created by Governor Newsom in 2021 — is aligning federal, state, local, tribal, and private organisations around shared forest health goals. It has invested nearly $6 billion and now treats over 700,000 acres annually. Energy Safety leads the development of a Utility Wildfire Resilience Partnership Program, modelled on a successful collaboration between Liberty Utilities, the US Forest Service, and the Tahoe Conservancy in the Lake Tahoe basin, designed to amplify the impact of utility corridor investments through landscape-scale coordination.

The challenge ahead
The January 2025 LA fires are a sobering reminder that the wildfire threat is not receding — climate conditions once considered extreme are now the norm. Building California's clean energy future (targeting 100% clean electricity by 2045) on ageing, wildfire-prone infrastructure is not sustainable. Caroline is clear that urgency, equity, and cross-agency coordination are all essential — the communities facing the greatest wildfire risk are too often the ones with the least access to backup power and recovery resources.

In the Q&A, Caroline addresses whether California's separated regulatory model can be replicated in other states (political will, not financing, is the key enabler), how the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force is structured to actually get things done, and the role of the Wildfire Safety Advisory Board in advising both Energy Safety and California's 50 publicly owned utilities.

🎙 Hosted by Nick Ferguson & Steve Cieslewicz
 📍 Recorded at the LiveEO Grid Resilience Summit
 📺 Part 1 of 6

Subscribe for the remaining five sessions — covering grid modernisation, storm resilience, wildfire technology, and more.

Got a topic suggestion? Email us: podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com

View this episode with video on YouTube https://youtu.be/rXjTjcAmNYYhttps://youtu.be/rXjTjcAmNYY.

A big thanks to LiveEO (www.live-eo.com) for organizing the summit.

Jim shares insights into NERC’s growing focus on wildfire as a critical reliability threat, highlighting data that shows increasing outage impacts and significantly longer restoration times compared to other severe weather events. The conversation dives into what prompted the report, namely a FERC directive following a Presidential Executive Order, and why its findings could be as transformative as past regulatory milestones like FAC-003.

A major focus of the discussion is how vegetation management must adapt. Key recommendations include expanding FAC-003 applicability down to 100 kV lines, increasing vegetation treatment frequency in high fire risk areas, and extending management practices beyond traditional rights-of-way. The episode also explores the role of advanced technologies. such as satellite data, LiDAR, AI, and weather modeling, in enabling more proactive, risk-based decision-making.

Jim emphasizes the importance of collaboration, data standardization, and stakeholder engagement as the industry moves toward implementation. He also underscores the opportunity for utilities to align Wildfire Mitigation Plans (WMPs) with Transmission Vegetation Management Programs (TVMPs) to create a more holistic approach to wildfire prevention.

With a public comment period closing on March 27th 2026 and standards development on the horizon, this episode is a must-listen for utility professionals seeking to understand, and influence, the future of wildfire risk mitigation on the bulk power system.

A big thank you to this episode’s sponsors, Jack McCabe, Ali Kulick, Darik Warnke, and the entire team at Davey Resource Group, Inc., without whose support this episode wouldn’t have been possible.

The draft report from NERC can be found here.

Materials from the NERC Workshop held in January 2026 can be found here.

Sara and Randy explain how the program was created to bridge the gap between traditional forestry education and the realities of utility vegetation management — reliability pressure, wildfire risk, regulatory scrutiny, and public accountability.

The conversation breaks down:

• Foundations and Advanced Certificates
• The Professional UVM Credential pathway
• Course format, time commitment, grading, and CEU eligibility
• Who the program is built for — utilities, contractors, consultants, and regulators
• How the credential can strengthen hiring, advancement, and program credibility

The episode also highlights recent efforts at UW–Stevens Point to further institutionalize UVM, including exploration of establishing a full-time faculty position dedicated specifically to leading and expanding Utility Vegetation Management efforts at the university — a clear signal that UVM is evolving into a recognized professional discipline.

Steve and Nick push the larger question:

What does it truly mean to professionalize UVM — and will structured education help move the industry from reactive cycle management toward risk-based, proactive strategies?

Whether you are entering the field or leading a large vegetation program, this episode offers a practical look at how education and credentials may shape the next generation of UVM leadership.

Sponsors

This episode of The UVM Podcast is made possible by our commercial sponsors:

Celerity Utility Solutions
Clear Path Utility Solutions LLC

We appreciate their continued support of industry education and conversation.

After spending 27 years in the private tree care industry, Matt made the leap into the utility world. Now three years in, Matt reflects on the early culture shock, the steep learning curve, and the skills that translated surprisingly well from residential and commercial arboriculture into large-scale utility operations.

The conversation explores the differences between private and utility “customers,” managing crews and contracts at scale, and how expectations shift when public safety, reliability, and regulation enter the picture. Matt also shares what helped him survive those first overwhelming years, what he’d tell someone considering the same career move, and how experienced utility professionals can better support newcomers coming from the private side.

Beyond career transitions, the episode dives into bigger-picture topics like breaking down silos between contractors and utilities, how private arboriculture and utility forestry can learn from each other, and what’s currently happening inside PGE, including vegetation initiatives and wildfire mitigation efforts tied to Wildfire Mitigation Plans (WMPs).

Whether you’re thinking about making the jump into utility vegetation management, onboarding new talent from the private sector, or looking for ways to strengthen collaboration across the industry, this episode offers candid insights from someone who’s lived on both sides of the fence.

A huge thank you to the sponsor of this season and episode, Clear Path Utility Solutions.

An example is provided on the lack of standardization in the investigation of tree-caused outages. Utilities with advanced programs collect good data but not to one standard, and researchers therefore have a hard time utilizing this information and drawing conclusions from it. The UAA seeks to move the industry away from data ponds towards communal data lakes that we all stand to benefit from.  

In addition to the strategic vision for The UAA, the episode includes a debrief of the record-breaking Trees and Utilities event that took place in September 2025, and a brief on the Environmental Concerns in Right-of-Way Management Symposium that will take place May 11-14 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Past proceedings from the conference can be found here.

A huge thank you to the sponsor of this season and episode, Clear Path Utility Solutions.

In this episode of The UVM Podcast, hosts Nick Ferguson and Steve Cieslewicz hold an in-depth conversation on one of the most pressing issues facing utilities today — wildfire mitigation. Their guest, Ryan Korpela, President at Celerity Utilities and Clear Path Utility Solutions, joins to discuss how his teams are helping utilities strengthen safety, compliance, and operational resilience in an increasingly challenging environment.

Ryan shares the origin story of Clear Path Utility Solutions and its relationship with Celerity, detailing how the company bridges the gap between construction management, vegetation services, and environmental compliance. He outlines Clear Path’s comprehensive suite of services — from risk compliance audits and emergency response to technology-driven vegetation management — all designed to help utilities stay ahead of regulatory requirements and insurer expectations.

The discussion also explores the growing role of technology and data analytics in making vegetation management more predictive, proactive, and integrated with infrastructure planning. Ryan offers valuable insights into the evolving wildfire threat, how utilities can better prepare for extreme weather, and why partnering with expert-driven teams is key to achieving safety and efficiency goals.

As the episode wraps up, listeners are left with practical advice on staying proactive, embracing innovation, and fostering collaboration to build a safer, more reliable energy grid.

Learn more about Clear Path Utility Solutions at clearpathutilityconsulting.com

A big thank you to the sponsors of this episode, Clear Path Utility Solutions. 

Floyd shares how SRP is learning from the wildfire experiences of states like California and Oregon, adapting those lessons to its own operations. The conversation dives into the challenges of managing invasive grass species across desert grasslands, and the balance between fuels reduction and fuels removal in high-risk areas.

The discussion also highlights the respectful and collaborative work SRP does on tribal lands, including cultural and regulatory considerations. Floyd explains SRP’s “no-reclose” policy during fire season—a bold step in wildfire mitigation—and discusses its practical implications for system reliability and public safety.

Listeners will also hear about SRP’s innovative defensible space program around distribution poles, its measurable impact on reducing outages and ignition risks, and what the future holds for wildfire prevention efforts.

Key Topics Covered:

• Lessons learned from Western wildfires
• Wildfire risk in desert ecosystems
• Managing invasive species as fuel sources
• SRP’s approach to fuels reduction vs. removal
• Collaborating with tribal nations
• Implementing a no-reclose policy
• Defensible space for distribution poles
• Future innovations in vegetation management

Whether you’re in a utility, land management, or policy role, this episode offers actionable insights into proactive wildfire mitigation in diverse environments.

A huge thank you to the sponsor of this season and episode, Clear Path Utility Solutions.

Our hosts also discuss real-world examples, changes in insurance underwriting practices, and opportunities for better alignment between utilities and insurers to mitigate wildfire and storm-related damages. This timely conversation sheds light on how UVM professionals can prepare for a future where insurance plays a larger role in operational and financial planning.

The episode format is a round table and the guests are:

• Jett Abramson, EVP at Amwins Group
• Mark Shipp, Senior EVP and Practice Leader from Hub Arbor Insurance Group
• Joshua Caudill, Founder and President, Safety Leadership Innovators 

A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, Clear Path Utility Solutions.

Nick delves into his recommendations for integrating proven practices like Right Tree, Right Place (RTRP), Trees for Energy Conservation (TEC), and defensible space standards into utility operations. Listeners will hear how emerging technologies like AI, LiDAR, and satellite monitoring can revolutionize risk detection, and why cost equity must become a central focus of UVM reform. Whether you're a utility professional, regulator, or community stakeholder, this conversation sheds light on the urgent need to reimagine how we manage our energy landscapes—and why failure to act now could have catastrophic consequences.

The full report can be downloaded here.

A big thank you to the sponsor of this episode, Clear Path Utility Solutions, providing world-class construction management, vegetation management, emergency / non-emergency management, quality support and pre-inspections services to utility companies in North America. 

If you are interested in joining IWRMC, you can contact Ben at ben_silverman@esource.com To find out more about IWRMC, visit https://www.esource.com/public/international-wildfire-risk-mitigation-consortium 

The discussion highlights the many aspects that make Trees & Utilities the must-attend event in the industry, including valuable networking opportunities, the sold-out vendor showcase, and the highly anticipated Annual Awards Dinner. The hosts and Dennis agree that what truly sets this conference apart is the camaraderie and knowledge-sharing that takes place throughout the week. Nick also mentions that he’ll be putting on an Oktoberfest celebration with US and German colleagues at the conference, so be sure to find him for some pretzels and steins of beer!

As they talk about the Annual Awards Dinner, the conversation turns to a heartfelt tribute to Dan Marsh, a former Lifetime Achievement Award winner and industry legend, who sadly passed away last week. Dennis, Nick, and Steve reflect on Dan’s contributions to the field and remember him as a true professional and gentleman.

Finally, Dennis encourages all attendees to download the Conference App before the event and to provide feedback through the event survey to help the team continue delivering an exceptional experience year after year.

Later in the episode, Steve is joined by Brian Eubanks, a U.S. Navy veteran and active member of the UVM industry, to discuss Saluting Branches and their upcoming day of service. Saluting Branches is a nonprofit organization founded by arborists to honor and assist veterans by providing tree care services at national cemeteries and other veteran properties. This year’s annual event will take place on Wednesday, September 18th.

Brian shares the mission of Saluting Branches and explains why his role as the site leader for the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery is so meaningful to him. He emphasizes the importance of giving back to those who have served and encourages listeners to get involved.

For more information on how to participate in Saluting Branches, visit https://www.salutingbranches.org/ 

For more information on Trees and Utilities, visit https://www.treesandutilities.org/agenda.cfm. 

Professor Kahn begins with an exciting update on what is going on with UVMI including a sneak peek at the upcoming UVMI Conference and a brief update on the progress being made to secure an esteemed collection of UVMI Expert Advisors. 

Larry then delves into his work supporting California’s Wildfire Safety Advisory Board (WSAB), highlighting his involvement in leading a scoping meeting that contributed to the WSAB's recent recommendations to the state, which were subsequently adopted. The conversation explores various WSAB recommendations, such as standardized terminology and the necessity for further studies on wildfire prevention in California.

Finally, the group discusses the importance of equitable cost-sharing among utility providers to bolster wildfire prevention efforts.

RESOURCES
Here is the URL for the WSAB’s publication: https://energysafety.ca.gov/news/2024/02/07/wsab-adopts-policy-paper-recommendations/

The conversation then shifts to discussing the organizational and regulatory differences between Municipalities and Investor-Owned Utilities (IOUs), with the ultimate assertion that both share a common goal of safety and reliability. They delve into some of SMUD’s specific programs, including their partnership with the Sacramento Tree Foundation, which supports the improvement of the Urban Forest as well as Social Equity in UVM.

After reminiscing on Eric’s past role as UAA President and his continued involvement in the organization, they have a candid conversation about the industry's pressing issues. Topics range from consistency in UVM programs to the efficacy of cycle-based programs, with a significant discussion about technology's role and its continuing importance, particularly in inspection and quality control. As the discussion covers the evolving landscape of UVM work, they also address fires and other weather-related events. Eric outlines his participation in developing a program for managing risks around SMUD’s assets, specifically focusing on risks not within Right of Way or easements. This is followed by an insightful look at efforts being made to increase visibility and appeal of UVM Work as a career

Wrapping up, Eric shares the inspiring work he is doing with Light Up Navajo. More information about Light Up Navajo can be found at https://www.ntua.com/.

We trust you’ll find this edition of the UVM Podcast enlightening. Should you have feedback or suggestions for upcoming topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

Highlighting Trees and Utilities as the premier event in the UVM industry, Tim reflects on the significance of the event, drawing attention to the wealth of educational opportunities, research insights, networking, and hands-on experiences with cutting-edge equipment. With over 1,000 attendees in 2023, the event has become a cornerstone for students, contractors, employees, and vendors.

The conversation then shifts to safety, where Tim emphasizes the importance of fostering a strong overall culture within organizations, one in which individuals exhibit consistent behavior in both personal and professional realms. Tim explains why there should not be a separate “Safety Culture”, rather, it should be an integral part of the overall culture. He advocates for a shift in focus from merely addressing what goes wrong to celebrating what goes right, transforming the narrative around safety. Tim challenges the traditional notions of "zero incidents" and "all incidents are preventable," offering fresh perspectives on cultivating a resilient safety system.

As the discussion evolves, Tim provides valuable insights into upcoming changes in safety standards and rules within the UVM industry. He emphasizes that safety is not merely the absence of accidents but the presence of resilience in the system. Tim advocates for the incorporation of research and statistics in safety discussions, urging a holistic approach to enhance safety practices.

In looking toward the future of safety in UVM, Tim explores ongoing challenges such as recruiting, retention, and employee engagement. He underscores the need to embed safety as an integral part of a company's culture and leaves listeners with a thoughtful reflection on the evolving landscape of safety within the UVM industry. Lastly Tim, Nick and Steve discuss some of the exciting technologies available in the UVM industry and how they can be used to enhance safety.

We trust you’ll find this edition of the UVM Podcast enlightening. Should you have feedback or suggestions for upcoming topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

Jeremy delves into the rich tapestry of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), a treasure trove of indigenous communities' wisdom, practices, and beliefs that revolves around the symbiotic relationship between life and its environment. With a blend of culture, spirituality, history, and profound understanding of ecosystems, TEK stands as a testament to the intricate balance of nature. Jeremy emphasizes TEK's relevance in today's world, spotlighting its pivotal role in areas like conservation, climate change adaptation, biodiversity, and the holistic perspective it offers on ecosystems.

The discussion traverses the practical applications of TEK, particularly among Native American tribes in California. Jeremy shares enlightening examples from tribes such as the Wintu, Pit River, and Yana, highlighting their age-old practices like controlled burns, sustainable resource management, plant cultivation, and active land stewardship.

Branching out from TEK, Jeremy sheds light on his extensive array of companies with a vision focused on sustainability across "Seven Generations." He speaks with pride about their groundbreaking initiatives in green hydrogen production, harnessing waste from UVM operations to forge a sustainable energy path.

Jeremy also touches upon his collaborative efforts, alongside a team of volunteer companies, to electrify the Navajo Nation, bringing much-needed power to their communities.

We trust you'll find this edition of The UVM Podcast enlightening. Should you have feedback or suggestions for upcoming topics, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO.

**CEUs available on the Utility Arborist Association (UAA) website here **

Madelyn introduces herself and discusses her involvement with policy design after significant bushfire events in Australia. She highlights the increasing consequences of bushfires due to population expansion in high-risk areas and the impact of climate change on fire frequency and severity.

They delve into Victoria's history of bushfires, including events like Black Saturday, and the impact of powerlines on ignitions. Madelyn describes the lessons learned from past wildfires and how they have influenced current practices and policies in Utility Vegetation Management.

The discussion explores various strategies employed by the government to address vegetation management and minimize the risk of powerline-related wildfires. Madelyn details initiatives such as the Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce and advancements in technology for risk reduction.

Madelyn explains the challenges of managing vegetation near powerlines while respecting Victoria's unique flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. They also discuss community engagement and public awareness efforts to educate residents about powerline safety and the importance of vegetation management.

The success of the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program is highlighted, with significant reductions in ignition risk achieved through capital programs. 

Throughout the episode, the hosts and guest provide insights into the complexities of managing powerline-related wildfire risks and share valuable information about Victoria's approach to Utility Vegetation Management.

The episode is split in two, of which this is part 2.

Many thanks to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO (www.live-eo.com).

** CEUs --> visit the UAA Website to complete the questionnaire and receive your CEUs from ISA here

Madelyn introduces herself and discusses her involvement with policy design after significant bushfire events in Australia. She highlights the increasing consequences of bushfires due to population expansion in high-risk areas and the impact of climate change on fire frequency and severity.

They delve into Victoria's history of bushfires, including events like Black Saturday, and the impact of powerlines on ignitions. Madelyn describes the lessons learned from past wildfires and how they have influenced current practices and policies in Utility Vegetation Management.

The discussion explores various strategies employed by the government to address vegetation management and minimize the risk of powerline-related wildfires. Madelyn details initiatives such as the Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce and advancements in technology for risk reduction.

Madelyn explains the challenges of managing vegetation near powerlines while respecting Victoria's unique flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. They also discuss community engagement and public awareness efforts to educate residents about powerline safety and the importance of vegetation management.

The success of the Powerline Bushfire Safety Program is highlighted, with significant reductions in ignition risk achieved through capital programs. 

Throughout the episode, the hosts and guest provide insights into the complexities of managing powerline-related wildfire risks and share valuable information about Victoria's approach to Utility Vegetation Management.

The episode is split in two, of which this is part 1

Many thanks to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO (www.live-eo.com).

** CEUs --> visit the UAA Website to complete the questionnaire and receive your CEUs from ISA here

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

**CEUs are available on the UAA website here**

Overall, the lessons learned from the 2003 blackouts have highlighted the importance of clear regulation, independent and reliable regulatory agencies, and adaptability in the face of climate change. As we continue to face these challenges, it is crucial that we not lose sight of the need to ensure a reliable and efficient power grid for all, on both sides of the pond.

In this fascinating episode, Nick and Steve discuss the work of Tulane Law School student Lex Kumar in her retrospective  analysis  of the North American and European Blackouts of 2003. Lex discusses the similarities of each event and how the governments responded to these historic tree related blackouts. Lex can be contact at LKumar1@tulane.edu.

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

A big thank you to this episode’s sponsor, LiveEO (www.live-eo.com).

 In this fascinating episode, Nick and Steve dive deep into the world of AI with ChatGPT, DALL-E, and MidJourney - accessible AI engines that are transforming industries. Listeners will gain valuable insights into a wide range of AI/UVM related topics, including the Turing Test, the potential of AI in UVM, and the threats and benefits of AI. The interview is full of surprises, with Nick and Steve challenging AI to create UVM artwork based purely on a few descriptive sentences in common English. The results are both stunning and eye-opening.

 If you are interested in learning more about how AI is transforming UVM and society at large, this episode is a must-listen. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about a cutting-edge technology that is revolutionizing the way we manage vegetation around power lines, making our power grids safer, and more reliable.

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO.

**CEUs Available ** Visit the UAA website and click on quizzes or click this link. https://member.gotouaa.org/surveys/?id=AI_to_VM

During this episode Larry, Steve and Nick explain and discuss the demarcation issue and present ideas to reduce outages, fires and accidents. As with the Rule of 70 episode, this is an important to the UVM industry.

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

A note to listeners: this episode was recorded in early August. Senate Bill 396 in California was quashed in late August. We decided to run the episode anyway on the basis that we feel Demarcation is an important topic and SB 396 is a useful case study.

**CEUs Available ** Visit the UAA website and click on quizzes or click this link. https://member.gotouaa.org/surveys/?id=Demarcation_Podcast 

Steve and Nick are joined by Subject Matter Experts from LiveEO (Tony Palizzi), NV5 Geospatial (Jacob Hall) and Planet (Paulina Zubatov) to unpack the asset life cycle and examine, through a remote sensing lens, how geospatial technology can support each stage.

The NPR Podcast with Planet's founders that was mentioned during this recording can be found here. The NPR episode doesn't cover vegetation management but does provide interesting further context on the drivers of the NewSpace revolution.

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

During this episode Larry, Steve and Nick explain what the Rule of 70s is and why it may be one of the most important metrics a Utility Arborist needs to track. 

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

During this thoughtful discussion, Lew discusses his work on a variety of topics ranging from pollinator habitat and IVM, to the way the transmission industry was influenced by the August 14, 2003 Northeast Blackout.

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO.

**CEUs Available ** Visit the UAA website and click on quizzes or click this link. https://member.gotouaa.org/surveys/?id=UVM_Ep_19

During this inspiring discussion Eliecer not only outlines current priorities and accomplishments of Entergy Texas, he talks about his own background and experiences in running UVM programs. You heard that right, he is a utility company CEO that actually understands UVM and recognizes the value of our collective work. For those of us new to the UVM profession, Eliecer provides some great career advice. For those of us that are longer in the tooth, it’s about time that we moved an experienced UVM person into the C suite.

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast valuable and insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

During this lively down-under discussion, Steve and the podcast hosts discuss a wide array of issues ranging from animal grazing on transmission ROWs to managing our UVM workloads as an asset - not a liability. It is also another episode where “the tyranny of distance” plays a role in UVM and bushfire mitigation (note: you can listen to earlier episodes with our other Australian guests if you don’t understand the reference – it’s a term that would apply to all large IOU UVM programs). 

During the conversation, Nick mentioned an article he wrote on harnessing the best elements of LIDAR (as-built surveys for ratings confirmation) with the best of satellite technology (monitoring vegetation to inform clearances, health and species). The article can be found here.

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful and entertaining. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

A big thank you to this episode's sponsor, LiveEO.

During this discussion we cover several topics including:

• Hydro One’s unique and comprehensive in-house operations
• Hydro One’s approach to scheduling work across its massive and diverse territory
• Advice for young UVM professionals
• The importance of safety in UVM operations
• Hydro One’s approach and predictions for UVM related technology

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

A big thank you to this week's episode sponsor LiveEO.

Ergon Energy Network and Energex are distribution service providers that together deliver approximately 35,000 GWh of electricity right across Queensland to around 2.3 million customers. The network consists of more than 178,000 km of overhead powerlines and 29,000 km of underground power cables. 

During this discussion we cover several topics including:

• System configuration 
• The unique geographical challenges posed by Queensland
• The tyranny of distance when working with such a remote distribution system
• Regulation for utilities in Queensland
• Vegetation work zones, cycle times and optimum intervention time
• The impact of El Nino and La Nina climatic patterns 
• Bushfires in the Queensland context
• Safe working practices

 We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

During this thoughtful discussion, Professor Hauer discusses his work on a recent report he published about Utility Vegetation Management in North America. The report was based on a 2019 utility forestry census of UVM activities and operations. Professor Hauer also details UWSP courses focused on UVM including the Vegetation Management Certificate. 

Links:

• 2019 UVM Utility Forestry Census
• UWSP UVM Vegetation Management Certificate

Note: 50 printed versions of the report are available on a first come, first serve basis by contacting report co-author Randy Miller (rmiller@cnutility.com).

 We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

A big thank you to this episodes sponsor, LiveEO. 

This episode features an interview with Rob Young, Executive Director of the Registered Professional Foresters Association of Nova Scotia, and Technical Advisor to the research organization CEATI. Rob spent over 25 years developing and leading Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) programs at Nova Scotia Power for 5,500 km of transmission and 27,000 km of distribution lines. 

In this interview, we discuss the research organization CEATI, and the work it is doing to advance Utility Vegetation Management as a discipline. We cover several topics including: 

• Background on CEATI
• Learning opportunities - Strategic Planning and Program Management, Technology Equipment and Products, Public and Social, Environmental Contribution
• Best Management Practices for communication about VM programs
• LiDAR, Phodar and the practical uses of satellite imagery
• Fire and weather-related risk mitigation
• Right of Ways as an asset of ecological value
• Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) Principles 
• Condition Based Management
• A brief exploration of lobster by-laws in Nova Scotia

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast helpful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. 

Rob can be found on LinkedIN here and the CEATI website is here.

In this fascinating discussion, Randy provides insights and practical advice for people involved with UVM. Whether or utility employee or UVM service provider, listeners will learn about a myriad of legal topics and issues that will help them in preparing for involvement in legal proceedings. During this thoughtful, and at times philosophic interview, we discuss a range of topical legal issues including:

• What types of legal cases are common in the UVM industry
• The typical anatomy of a UVM related legal case
• Who can expect to become involved with these cases (Utilities and Vendors)
• Reasonableness and standards of care
• Insurance subrogation
• Inverse Condemnation 
• UVM legal tips, before, during, and after an event

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

Randy's contact information can be found here.

Thank you to this week's sponsor, LiveEO. 

• What conductors are made of and why they expand and contract with temperature
• How expansion and contraction affects tension and sag
• Weather and electrical load variables that contribute to sag and sway (blow out)
• Why knowing the conductor movement envelope is essential for UVM
• Structure deflection in response to weather
• The impact of ice storms on sag and sway, including conductor elongation
• The role of PLS-CADD in modeling clearances
• Thoughts on the future direction of technology

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast helpful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. 

Otto can be found on LinkedIN here and the PLS-CADD website is here.

• How an English Literature major moves from prose to UVM
• The history of Seattle City Light
• The migrating fire problem in Washington State 
• Potential changes to utility practices as a result of the increased threat of fires in the Pacific Northwest.
• Seattle City Light’s customer focus and accomplishments
• Successfully managing priorities for canopy cover, social equity, and the need for providing safe and reliable electric service.  
• Seattle City Light’s past and future UVM-related Tech capabilities

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

• An introduction to satellite remote sensing
• Legacy practices for inspecting vegetation
• Sven’s background & how he became involved in space technology
• The economics and technology trends reshaping space
• UVM use cases for earth observation satellites 
• Satellite vs. LIDAR - are they competitive or complementary? 
• Limitations of satellite datasets
• What LiveEO has built for the UVM community
• The benefits of satellite imagery for vegetation managers

We hope that you find this episode of The UVM Podcast insightful. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. 

Sven can be found on LinkedIN here and the LiveEO website is here. 

• How Heath got started in Utility Vegetation Management
• Advice for young professionals entering the industry
• Strategic decisions taken to manage risk through moving funds from pruning activities into removing fall-in risk trees in high bushfire risk areas
• NSW State regulations and legislation, and how this impacts the VM program
• Moving from a planned cyclical maintenance regime into a predictive maintenance regime as Essential Energy’s digital asset management capability develops
• Impacts on the 2019/ 2020 Black Summer fires on the utility, the wider community, and individuals
• The relationship between Total Fire Ban days and network-initiated fires 
• Approaching the fire season - planning and mitigation, response during the event, and continuous improvement

This is the first Australian interview published by The UVM Podcast. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com. 

Heath can be found on LinkedIN here.

CEUs available here

On this episode, our guest is Jason Grossman, Manager - Vegetation Management at Liberty Utilities (Missouri). In this discussion, Jason will cover: 

• How he got started in Utility Vegetation Management
• The impact of ice storms on the grid and the role of vegetation management in response efforts
• The role of the Missouri Public Service Commission in setting funding requirements
• Liberty Utilities (Missouri) reliability statistics vs. benchmarks (SAIDI, SAIFI) 
• Integrated Vegetation Management and responsible stewardship
• New technology and the impact of this on the Liberty Utilities (Missouri) VM program

This is the first utility interview published by The UVM Podcast. If you have any feedback on the episode or suggestions for topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes, please feel free to get in contact at podcast@utilityvegetationmanagement.com.

CEU Quiz here.

 For almost a half century, the Utility Arborist Association has worked towards its stated mission that  “We will drive excellence, innovation, and improvement in utility vegetation management through professional development, outreach, research, and the use of best practices.” With over 5,000 members worldwide the UAA has been an important and impactful voice in the industry and has had a significant role in raising the awareness of UVM. After a decade of leadership under the direction of Executive Director Dr. Phil Charlton, Phil has recently handed the reins to Dennis Fallon. 

In this interview, Steve and Nick speak to both the incoming and outgoing Executive Directors of the UAA and discuss a myriad of historical and contemporary issues including:

• Background and history
• The important work of the UAA
• UVM educational opportunities
• The work of Consulting Utility Foresters (CUF)
• Who are the members of the UAA and what are the benefits of membership
• The industry loss of Nelsen Money and Will Nutter
• Dr. Phil Charlton’s reflections on his career and work at the UAA
• Dennis Fallon’s vision for the future of the UAA

For members of the UAA, this episode will provide a reminder how important the UAA has been and will be in the future. For non-members, it’s time to join right here: https://member.gotouaa.org/page/UAAMembership   

On this episode, our guest is Lawrence Kahn, Visiting Research Fellow at Tulane Law School's Center for Environmental Law. Larry is heading up the Tulane UVMI and we discuss many of the Tulane initiatives directly involving UVM. In this provocative discussion, Larry will cover multiple issues. For example:

•  Tulane’s work with Arbor Day Foundation to develop a model “Right Tree - Right Place” tree ordinance
• Why UVM is an important issue for everyone
• Social justice and environmental issues related to UVM
• Tulane’s multi-national UVM law and regulation survey
• Other issues scheduled to be addressed by Tulane’s UVMI

We guarantee you will find the topics interesting, possibly controversial, and definitely thought provoking.

The increasing prevalence of devastating wildland fires in California has resulted in the creation of a new utility oversight agency that has had significant impacts on how UVM is performed in the state. This new and powerful agency is focused on preventing fires related to energy related infrastructure (Energy Safety) and UVM is an important part of this effort. In this interview, Steve and Nick speak to the new Director of Energy Safety, Caroline Thomas Jacobs, and covers the following topics:

 Background and history of the organization

• Tree and powerline related fires
• Various state and utility efforts to mitigate and prevent electric utility related fires
• The reporting requirements and Wildfires Mitigation Plans for utilities
• New Tech being utilized by utilities and the state
• The work of the new Energy Safety organization

This episode will provide an insight into a unique and new oversight organization that may be replicated in other regions in North America. The work of Energy Safety has already had significant impact on how utilities perform vegetation work in the state and has expanded the scope and responsibilities of UVM professionals.    

1. The first reason we manage trees near power lines has to do with preventing outages. In most places across North America, tree and powerline conflicts are the single largest cause of power outages on distribution systems. Trees, either growing into, or more often than not,  falling into power lines are the main reason why our lights go out. 
2. The second reason for UVM has to do with fire mitigation. For those of you in fire prone states and provinces, tree and powerline conflicts have been a significant cause of devastating electric utility related wildfires in recent years, particularly out here in California. To illustrate that point, a staggering 65% of the total hectares, or acres,  burned in California in 2019 were found to be caused by electric facilities.
3. UVM is also focused on public and worker safety.  When trees grow too close to overhead energized lines there is a risk that someone can get hurt. This type of exposure turns out to be one the largest causes of accidents and fatalities in the green industry

Our intent is to provide a forum for people involved in this industry to learn about issues that will have an effect on preventing tree and power line conflicts. We want to bring you informative interviews with industry professionals and also discuss topics of interest to anyone involved with this industry. We’ll be interviewing utilities, regulators, policy makers, tree contractors and technologists.