NYSEG and RG&E Use Data to Combat Invasive Insect Killing Trees
The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an invasive insect that is burrowing and killing ash trees across New York
The Companies collaborated with the University of Rochester’s Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Wednesday, October 8, 2025 — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are using data science and analytics to detect, locate, and combat the invasive Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) insect that is killing ash trees and causing power disruptions.
“The Emerald Ash Borer has created significant mortality among ash trees in New York, resulting in a large rate of power disruptions. To combat this, we are using data analytics to improve customer reliability by guiding our vegetation management teams to be more effective,” said Mark Waclawiak, senior manager of operational performance. “We are working with local universities to tackle these challenges so we can create a more reliable grid for customers.”
The invasive EAB has been wreaking havoc on ash trees across New York and North America. The EAB is a wood-burrowing beetle from Asia that lays its eggs in the bark crevices of ash trees. The larvae burrow into the tree and feed on the inner bark, disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients. This damage results in the eventual death of the tree, which can then fall on power lines and cause power disruptions.
Since falling trees are the leading cause of power interruptions in New York, NYSEG and RG&E are working to mitigate the effects of the EAB by collaborating with the University of Rochester’s Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The Companies are working with researchers to leverage ash tree location data, historical outage data, and infrastructure data to determine the highest risk areas for power disruptions caused by EAB-infested trees.
Once areas are determined high risk, the Companies’ vegetation management teams then focus on the removal of dead or dying ash trees in and around the Companies’ rights-of-way. In addition, NYSEG and RG&E have partnered with the Operational Performance Group at their parent company, Avangrid, to identify high-risk areas on circuits and prioritize preventive work using data analytics. This collaboration has resulted in smarter investments in tools and strategies, helping vegetation management teams operate more effectively and proactively to improve service reliability for customers.
The best way for customers to combat the EAB is to buy local firewood or certified heat-treated firewood, as firewood can potentially harbor invasive pests and disease.
EAB adults are a metallic green with a coppery-red abdomen and are only half an inch long. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation encourages New Yorkers to take photos of the insect and/or signs of damage and email foresthealth@dec.ny.gov with the photos and location.
“We're excited to collaborate with Avangrid on this project to predict the likelihood of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) tree-contact outages. Using AI and machine learning techniques developed by University of Rochester data science students as part of their capstone project, this initiative has the potential to develop novel solutions to safeguard and enhance the electric grid reliability throughout the region,” said Ajay Anand, PhD, professor and deputy director of the Goergen Institute for Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (GIDS-AI) at the University of Rochester. “Working closely with Avangrid's experts, this project has given our students the opportunity to tackle real-world problems with immediate operational impact.”
Media Contact:
Max Weissman