Liberty Earns Accreditation as a Right-of-Way Steward

• 9/25/2023

Liberty Earns Accreditation as a Right-of-Way Steward
Liberty joins utilities in leading the way towards responsible ROW vegetation management 

25 September 2023, (Minneapolis, MN) - The Right-Of-Way Stewardship Council (ROWSC) is pleased to announce that Liberty has successfully achieved accreditation as a "Right-of-Way Steward" for sustainable integrated vegetation management (IVM) of its electric transmission right-of-way systems in its Central Region. Liberty is now one of only nine utility companies currently qualified to achieve ROWSC accreditation.

Liberty manages vegetation on more than 1,460 miles of transmission Rights-Of-Way in four states in its Central Region: Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, with a geographic footprint for electric transmission estimated at approximately 21,000 acres. The ROWSC program provides standards of excellence for environmental stewardship and presents the opportunity for utility companies to demonstrate their commitment to such standards. This accreditation establishes Liberty as an industry leader and recognizes Liberty for their longstanding dedication to integrated vegetation management (IVM) best practices. Highlights from Liberty’s ROWSC accreditation audit include highly qualified vegetation management staff and excellent training programs on IVM for contractors, as well as a demonstrated commitment to program improvement through their research and demonstration projects. Liberty is also developing a system wide botanical database based on industry leading botanical surveys.

The ROWSC has established rigorous management standards based on a set of predetermined principles, requires a formal application process, and enlists third-party auditors to ensure compliance with the standards. The ROWSC Accreditation Standards for Assessing Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) Excellence establish the technical requirements for applicants seeking ROW Steward accreditation. The standards are applied in an independent audit of an applicant's integrated vegetation management program to aid in identifying excellence.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by the ROWSC,” said Jason Grossman, Manager of Vegetation Management for Liberty’s Central Region. “This accreditation recognizes Liberty’s Vegetation Management Program as an industry leader, utilizing best management practices that promote long term sustainable plant communities on our rights-of-way.”

The Right-of-Way Stewardship Council extends warm congratulations to Liberty on receiving this award and for being a recognized industry leader in sustainable ROW vegetation management.

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Pictured above, left to right: Dennis Fallon – UAA, Lewis Payne - ROWSC Chair, and Liberty team members Jason Grossman and Gary Edens