Hurricane!

It's hard to balance all interests in the ongoing post-Isabel clean-up.

Since Hurricane Isabel, I have felt like one hand clapping in saying: It s the trees, stupid! As People s Counsel and a D.C. resident, I align myself with those respecting Mother Nature s serendipity and furious storms and enjoy the serenity of a canopy of beautiful, healthy trees. Yet, I also demand safe, adequate and reliable electric service.

As a People s Counsel living in a post-Hurricane Isabel world, I applaud Pepco s timely efforts to manage and maintain vegetation. Yet, I know Pepco s tree trimming tactics have been viewed as overly aggressive, recently drawing sharp criticism. Pepco’s actions have, however, also drawn praise. Some residents believe Pepco s vegetation management seems but a small price to pay to avoid the scourge of natural disasters or emergencies like Hurricane Isabel.