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CEC-PIER: Funded Projects
Revising and Updating "Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection on Powerlines: The State of the Art in 1996"
Contract #: 500-01-032
Contractor: University of California, Santa Cruz
Subcontractor: Edison Electric Institute
Subcontract Principal Investigator: Daniel Pearson
Contract Project Manager: Brian Walton
Commission Project Manager: Linda Spiegel
Final Product:
Suggested Practices for Avian Protection on Power Lines: The State of the Art in 2006.
Copies available from Santa Cruz Predatory Bird Research Group morning@ucsc.edu
Avian Power Line Interaction Committee www.aplic.org
Edison Electric www.eei.org
California Energy Commission www.energy.ca.gov
The Issue
Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection on Power Lines was first published in 1975 (Miller et al.), later updated in 1981 (Olendorff et al.) and most recently revised in 1996 by Edison Electric Institute and the Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) in collaboration with the Raptor Research Foundation. The 1996 reference document, internationally recognized by researchers, industry, policymakers, and the public, presents the history and success of more than two decades of research and implementation of solutions to the problem of avian electrocutions. It examines the history of raptor-power line interactions from biological and electrical standpoints; and proposes specific solutions for reducing avian-caused electrical outages and avian fatalities through cooperative measures between utilities, industry, and federal and state agencies. The document provides an extensive bibliography as well.
In order to make ‘State of the Art’ information consistently available over time, this document must be periodically updated to include new technologies and research results. Although EEI- APLIC members feel that five years intervals are appropriate, the latest edition is in its seventh year. This grant, along with cost-sharing and participation by Southern California Edison, will allow APLIC to make this document current and provide concerned parties with a single point source for the most recent information on available methods and tools aimed at reducing raptor electrocutions.
Project Description
The APLIC project team will survey experts on raptor electrocution to gain input on guide section changes, information gaps, updates and improvements. The team will compile this information, research the recommended changes, prepare new text and graphics, and update older figures. The team will also add the last seven years of published research regarding negative avian interactions with power structures to the bibliography section.
The updated edition will be available in print or compact disc (CD) directly from EEI and APLIC as well as other cooperating utilities. In pursuit of insuring access to this information, APLIC will also provide a free digital (PDF format) version that will be downloadable from various collaborating websites. All formats will be available in English and Spanish.
Contacts
Brian Walton • (831) 459-2466
Richard M. Loughery • (202) 508-5647
