GC: n

CT: Unfortunately, when tree branches grow too close to the electric lines they can cause a power outage. Arcing or direct tree/wire contact is a major cause of power outages.
In fact, a single tree/wire contact may deprive thousands of people of the electricity they need. If power is lost to medical facilities, water systems, traffic lights or emergency services, the results can seriously impact the affected communities.
Because a dependable supply of electricity is so important, CPS Energy is required by law to remove trees and keep them away from electric transmission power lines. This keeps our electrical equipment operating safely and helps us provide our customers with reliable electric service.

S: http://www.cpsenergy.com/files/vegetation_mgmt_transmission_lines.pdf (last access: 19 December 2014)

N: 1. electric (adj): 1640s, first used in English by physician Sir Thomas Browne (1605-1682), apparently coined as Modern Latin electricus (literally “resembling amber”) by English physicist William Gilbert (1540-1603) in treatise “De Magnete” (1600), from Latin electrum “amber,” from Greek elektron “amber” (Homer, Hesiod, Herodotus), also “pale gold” (a compound of 1 part silver to 4 of gold); of unknown origin.
Originally the word described substances which, like amber, attract other substances when rubbed. Meaning “charged with electricity” is from 1670s; the physical force so called because it first was generated by rubbing amber. In many modern instances, the word is short for electrical. Figurative sense is attested by 1793. Electric light is from 1767.
line (n): a Middle English merger of Old English line “cable, rope; series, row, row of letters; rule, direction,” and Old French ligne “guideline, cord, string; lineage, descent;” both from Latin linea “linen thread, string, line,” from phrase linea restis “linen cord,” from fem. of lineus (adj.) “of linen,” from linum “linen”.
2. Electrical wires that carry electricity from the point of generation to the point of use.
3. Power lines are located high overhead or buried underground.

S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=electric&searchmode=none; http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=line&searchmode=none (last access: 19 December 2014). 2 & 3. TERMIUM PLUS (last access: 19 December 2014).

SYN: line, power line.

S: GDT (last access: 19 December 2014)

CR: electrical energy, hydroelectric power plant, [power station].