The Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) was formed in the late 1980s to deal with crane collisions with power lines in southern Colorado. It was originally composed of ten utilities nationwide, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Audubon Society. Today it includes 20 utilities, EEI, USFWS, and Hawkwatch International. The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association has recently become an APLIC member.
APLIC is a leader in the electric utility industry in the protection of avian resources while enhancing energy delivery. It works in partnership with utilities, resource agencies and the public to:
APLIC meets twice a year and deals with avian interactions with utility structures to include electrocution and collision issues. APLIC has produced:
It also funds various research projects. Current APLIC activities include:
APLIC is currently working with USFWS on a template for Memorandum of Understandings and Avian Protection Plans and an update/revision of Suggested Practices For Raptor Protection On Power Lines: The State Of The Art In 1996.
If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact Dennis Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff at 202-720-1953 or at drankin@rus.usda.gov, Rick Loughery, EEI, at 202-508-5647, or Jim Burruss, APLIC, at 801-220-2535.