Here is a story from August 2010 that may be news to you — certainly something you will never hear on the Andy Wappler Dog & Pony Show:  “From a public safety standpoint, trees that grow near high voltage transmission lines can become electrified even without touching the line, creating a hazard to anyone in the area. Earlier this year, a tree that contacted the eastside transmission line carried electricity down its trunk to a fence and then to an underground natural gas line, which caused an explosion in the line and the home it served. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.” Whole story is at  http://powerlines.seattle.gov/2010/08/24/new-rules-for-transmission-lines-drive-enhanced-vegetation-management/#sthash.h6JooJT0.dpuf.

From the same article: is this what we have to look forward to?