One year later, AEP trimmed tree branches causing a fire hazard in Albany mobile home park

ALBANY, Texas — On Monday a mobile home park owner in Albany reached out to KTXS News frustrated because she called American Electric Company for over a year reporting overgrown tree branches in the powerlines without much luck. The property owner says Tuesday her luck changed after the electric company arrived at the property to trim the branches.

“I feel so much better about this now,” Autumn Rankin said. “Knowing that the electrical lines are not going to be catching fire, and that my tenants are safe.”

A tenant at the mobile home park said he never could figure out why his lights would randomly flicker, but when AEP knocked on his door informing him, they would be cutting the tree branches on the powerlines he put 2 and 2 together.

“I feel bad for him,” Rankin said. “I kept calling electricians. We kept trying to get it solved. I was upset because I kept trying to fix things for him, and then after it aired my friend who is the apartment complex owner messaged me and said that explains all of the electrical problems we’ve been having.”

After a year of phone calls and frustration the property owner is happy the electric company finally heard her cry for help.

“Very frustrating that it has to go to this point for them to take action on what their responsibility is,” Rankin said.

AEP gave the following statement:

“Like any business, AEP Texas strives to work as efficiently as possible. Tree trimming is performed daily by both company and contract employees in order to ensure safe and reliable power to our customers.

In checking, we determined that the area was inspected in February and was submitted to be addressed. Requests for tree trimming are evaluated and if further action is required, the work is scheduled. However, that request stalled in the process, which should not have happened. Tree trimming occurred today at the site. We apologize for the concern and inconvenience the customer experienced.”

-Greg Blair

AEP Texas Regional External Affairs Manager