Utilities Interested in Retrofitting Poles
Electric Utilities
Electric utilities interested in receiving grants to retrofit high-risk poles for eagles should register their interest with the Eagle ILF Program. The Eagle ILF Program carefully evaluates the qualifications and of each electric utility to determine eligibility as a program partner. Preference will be given to utilities with an existing Avian Protection Plan and utilities that can show how grant funds would accelerate their retrofitting plans.
The Eagle ILF Program staff work with each utility to identify pole configurations and parts of a service territory with high-risk of eagle electrocution, inspect poles, and provide retrofit prescriptions using preferred mitigation techniques and products that meet the utility’s engineering standards. The Eagle ILF Program reimburses utilities for time and materials to fix poles as outlined in a mutually agreed upon retrofitting plan.
Request for Grant Proposals
The Eagle ILF Program periodically offers Requests for Proposals for competitive-grant cycles. Grant funding will be used to mitigate distribution power poles at high risk for eagle electrocution to meet industry “avian-friendly” criteria. Grant funding is designed to reimburse a utility’s full cost of mitigation materials, labor (staff or contract), mobilization, and equipment use. There is no requirement for matching funds or in-kind contributions to receive the grant funding. Please contact program staff to be included in our mailing list for future RFP announcements.