"Right-of-way" refers to the corridor SCE&G uses to build and maintain electric and natural gas transmission and distribution facilities in order to serve its customers.
There are two basic types of electric rights-of-way:
Transmission Right-of-Way Transmission lines carry electricity at high voltages from generating plants to substations. They also may carry electricity between substations. Along that journey, those lines travel across many parcels of property.
The amount of space occupied by lines on those parcels is defined by the easement document for that property. Transmission right-of-way corridors typically range in width from 50 feet to 500 feet.
Distribution Right-of-Way
Distribution lines carry electricity (lower voltages than transmission lines) from substations to residential, commercial and industrial customers. These are the lines that people typically see running along streets or in neighborhoods.
Distribution right-of-way corridors typically range in width from 20 to 50 feet.
SCE&G maintains guidelines of allowable and prohibited activities within its right-of-way to ensure the safe and reliable operation of its electric and natural gas system.
Acceptable Trees to Plant in Transmission Rights-of-Way
Vegetation that is likely to exceed 15 feet in height should not be planted on Transmission right of ways. Below is a list of plants that generally will not grow taller than 15 feet at their maturity, however, if plants on this list exceed 15 feet in height, SCE&G is subject to remove them. Please note, that this list is in no way comprehensive; many additional species and cultivers are available.
| Acceptable Trees in Transmission Rights-of-Way |
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Mature Height |
| Acer palmatum 'Dissectum Atropurpureum' |
Japanese Maple Variety |
15 |
| Acer palmatum 'Burgundy Lace' |
Burgundy Lace Japanese Maple |
15 |
| Aesculus sylvatica |
Painted buckeye |
12 |
| Cercis chinensis |
Chinese redbud |
12 |
| Cornus racemosa |
Gray-stemmed Dogwood |
15 |
| Cotinus coggygria |
Common Smoketree |
15 |
| Hamamelis mollis |
Chinese Witchhazel |
15 |
| Ilex verticillata |
Common Winterberry |
15 |
| Ilex verticillata 'Apollo' |
'Apollo' Holly |
12 |
| Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Burford' |
Dwarf Burford Holly |
10 |
| Juniperus chinensis 'Sparten' |
'Sparten' Juniper |
15 |
| Lagerstroemia indica 'Acoma' |
'Acoma' Crapemyrtle |
10 |
| Lagerstroemia indica 'Cherokee' |
'Cherokee' Crapemyrtle |
10 |
| Loropetallum chinese |
Chinese Fringe Bush |
10 |
| Magnolia x soulangiana 'Lilliputian' |
'Lilliputian' Saucer Magnolia |
15 |
| Magnolia x soulangiana 'Verbanica' |
'Verbanica' Saucer Magnolia |
15 |
| Malus hybrids (cultivers 15' or less) |
Flowering Crabapple |
15 |
| Myrica cerifera var. pumila |
Dwarf Wax Myrtle |
6 |
| Prunus hybrids (cultivers 15' or less) |
Japanese apricot |
15 |
| Stewartia malacodendron |
Silky camellia |
15 |
| Stryax americana |
American Snowbell |
10 |
| Stryax grandifolius |
Bigleaf Snowbell |
12 |
| Viburnum prunifolium |
Blackhaw Viburnum |
15 |
| Viburnum sargenti |
Sargent's Viburnum |
15 |
| Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum |
Doublefile Viburnum |
15 |
| Vitex negundo |
Chastetree |
15 |
For additional information on suitable trees and the appropriate distances to plant them from power lines, read Recommended Distances to Plant Trees from Power Lines (PDF, 377 KB).
