A Pepco contractor works in North Bethesda clearing branches overhanging lines in December 2010.

(Susan Biddle/The Washington Post)

This post has been updated.

The public debate has started on a controversial Montgomery County bill aimed at the area’s largest power company and its aggressive tree-trimming practices.

The bill would impose more stringent reliability standards for electric companies operating in Maryland and require them to obtain permission from homeowners before pruning on private property. More than 20 residents and community activists testified at a public hearing on the bill Tuesday night.

Article source: http://feeds.washingtonpost.com/click.phdo?i=d02c098bbf1e175c98bed35e97e2c576