Interstate Power and Light Company, an Alliant Energy company, employees and contract crews will be in parts of Albert Lea and Glenville, beginning the week of July 23, to trim trees away from overhead power lines. Crews will be working in various parts of the community and surrounding areas over a three- to six-week period.

Dan Green, manager of line clearance for Alliant Energy, said tree trimming is essential to maintaining safe and reliable electric service.

&8220;Trees and power lines are not a good combination &8212; especially when storms bring lightning, ice or high winds,&8221; Green explained. &8220;That&8217;s why we work hard to keep trees around overhead power lines trimmed properly.&8221;

Alliant Energy visits each community in its three-state service area, on average, every three to four years to clear trees away from pole-to-pole power lines.

&8220;We use the most current practices set forth by the National Arbor Day Foundation and the International Society

of Arboriculture to preserve the health of trees,&8221; Green said.

The residents of Albert Lea and Glenville can expect:

– Trees located beneath or within 10 feet of a power line to be trimmed.

– Crews to chip and haul away brush and small branches.

-All stumps to be treated for prevention of resprouting.

– Removal of dead or dying trees, and/or trees that have a badly split trunk or limb; lean dangerously close to wires; or are a fast-growing, weak-wooded variety. A representative from Alliant Energy will contact customers in person if a tree must be removed.

Interruptions to electric service due to tree trimming are unlikely. Customers with questions or concerns about line clearance are encouraged to call Alliant Energy&8217;s 24-hour Customer Service Center at 1-800-ALLIANT, visit www.alliantenergy.com/treetrimming or e-mail customercare@alliantenergy.com.