First-Energy Helicopter/Submitted Photo

Butler County residents may spot low-flying helicopters in the next several months as FirstEnergy Corporation conducts aerial inspections of high-voltage power lines, looking for early-stage equipment issues.

The inspections are being conducted using infrared and ultraviolet cameras mounted to helicopters flying low at 25-35mph to see potential issues that cannot be observed with the naked eye. The infrared and ultraviolet cameras help identify overheating components, incorrect voltage and faulty hardware.

“Helicopters provide a view of electrical equipment that we can’t get from the ground, allowing inspection of miles of power lines in a single day,” said Mark Mroczynski, FirstEnergy transmission president. “The transmission system is the first line of defense in preventing power outages because it supplies the electricity that flows into substations and along power lines to every single one of our customers.”

The inspections also identify physical problems like overgrown trees, damaged equipment or bird nests on equipment.

FirstEnergy said the inspections will be underway for the next several months in six states, but portions have already been completed.

It said Wednesday it has inspected 2,220 miles of lines in Pennsylvania with about 50% completed, 1,046 miles of lines in Ohio with about 64% completed, 630 miles of lines in New Jersey with about 42% completed and 648 miles of lines in West Virginia and Maryland with about 20% completed.

The inspections support Energize365, a multi-year program focused on transmission and distribution infrastructure investments. It plans to invest $28 billion by 2029 to create a more secure grid to meet future reliability targets and accommodate electric vehicles and clean energy.

The inspections are completed every four years in conjunction with American Transmission Systems Incorporated, Mid-Atlantic Interstate Transmission LLC, Keystone Appalachian Transmission Company, Trans-Allegheny Interstate Line Company and Jersey Central Power & Light.

FirstEnergy’s transmission subsidiaries operate about 24,000 miles of transmission lines in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic.