Some home-owners in Cole County are upset with a local electric cooperative that has been cutting down their trees.
The group held a protest earlier this morning to speak out against the Central Electric cooperative. They're unhappy because they say company workers are coming on their property and cutting down trees without their consent.
The protesters said the company told them they are cutting down the trees that were taller than 12 feet or had the potential to be taller than 12 feet to eliminate power line interference. They said that the company does have a 100 foot easement that allows them to cut down trees within that area.
The protesters said they believe that the company does have a right to cut down certain trees, but they think their enforcement of that policy is excessive.
The power lines stretch from California to Brazito, and so far, folks from the neighborhoods of Westview Heights, Westport,and Northport Drive have aired concerns over the trees.
Many say the missing trees could drive up their utility bills, and negatively impact their property values.
Central Electric Cooperative provided no immediate comment, although they said that they will provide KRCG with more information on the easement.
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