More than 250,000 NYSEG and RG&E Poles Inspected in 2025
Utilities have more than one million poles across New York State
Companies replaced approximately 14,000 poles this year
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — October 7, 2025 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) have inspected more than 250,000 poles and replaced approximately 14,000 so far in 2025. Inspections and replacements are vital to help ensure energy reliability to approximately 1.3 million electric customers across Upstate New York.
“A strong pole infrastructure means customers can go about their daily lives uninterrupted,” said Patricia Nilsen, CEO of NYSEG and RG&E. “Many poles across NYSEG and RG&E’s service areas are more than 40 years old and in dire need of replacement. By replacing aging or damaged poles, we keep the lights on for families and businesses.”
NYSEG and RG&E collectively maintain more than one million utility poles across New York State, which are inspected on a five-year cycle. These inspections consist of varying levels of assessment, ranging from visual review from the ground and stray voltage testing to more detail evaluations. In addition to the routine cycle inspections, the Companies conduct separate inspections that examined an additional 57,000 poles this year. This enhanced program tests the strength of the pole by excavating around it to determine ground rot, taking pole measurements, and calculating the pole’s remaining strength. The Companies will also physically drill into the pole to identify voids.
Several factors determine whether or not a pole will be replaced, and when that replacement should occur. Those factors include age, customer exposure from a potential broken pole, protective devices, and the historical outage impact at the pole’s location. Because poles are regularly inspected, NYSEG and RG&E can reduce the number of failing poles. While the Companies proactively plan to replace poles, they also have resources to replace those damaged in an emergency such as a storm or motor vehicle accident.
Approximately 14,000 poles have been replaced in 2025. The Companies are on track to replace more than 20,000 poles by the end of the year. The scale of future pole work in 2026 and beyond will be determined by NYSEG and RG&E’s Powering New York rate proposal that was filed this year with the New York State Department of Public Service. This plan aims to modernize infrastructure so that customers see improved reliability, efficiency, and resiliency in an era of more extreme weather. It also includes state requirements for new utility poles, which will support broadband internet upgrades. The proposal is currently under review by state regulators.