rick1128
There have not seen too many accidents while conducting power work that I have seen.
Most of the powerline patrols are run done by contractors who were the lowest bidder,
Not on the west coast...certainly California is dominated by PG & E, SDGE, WAPA, and LADWP. All who either have their own helicopters or contract with certain approved vendors.
On an interesting note, for the last 18 months, WAPA has been putting their power line work out to bid amongst the approved vendors only. (WAPA is Western Area Power Administration, which is sister company to Bonneville Power, both are divisions of the US Department of Energy).