Utilities' drone plans cleared for takeoff

Electric utilities across the U.S. are wasting no time to take advantage of FAA rules authorizing use of drones for commercial purposes. Electric utilities across the U.S. are wasting no time taking advantage of new FAA rules authorizing use of drones for commercial purposes. "We've certainly heard from our members that they're excited about this technology," said Chris Hickling, the director of government relations for the Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the trade group for investor-owned utilities in the U.S. "They see it as part of building a smarter infrastructure. We see it as an area that's going to continue to grow." More than 20 utilities have already tested unmanned aerial vehicles for inspecting transmission and distribution lines for damage from storm and normal wear and tear, using temporary rules from the Federal Aviation Administration, and are now ready to demonstrate them even more.