neat to hear that the utility company was concerned about disturbing the bees.
great crazy, good to keep up the conversation with the utility company. we have been there done that like you. the key is to converse with them.
keep the communication going, they may be willing to work with you. we have three easements on our property, they all seem to work with as as long as we keep the communication going with them. they may even be willing to agree to and/or pay for the planting of bee friendly plants in the easement once the work has been completed. all you need to do is ask. it doesn't hurt. but keep up the conversation with her, and results or feedback of the contractors meetings.
comb honey? i will send you a chunk of comb honey to give to her if need be, just let me know!
EDIT AND ADD:
" wow.. easement... they get about a foot here... anything past a foot I have to deal with... in fact I have a dead tree that needs dealt with now.. they cut the branch back that foot, then told me I better get the tree down or they will charge me to do it... sometimes living rural can have downfalls..."
easements are more than a foot scott. the easement depends on what the easement is for. i live in a very rural area with 3 easements and a road right away; koch/flint gas pipeline, excel energy, local electrical, township. each one is different. all seem to work with us on the easements/rightaway. we have had some issues with flint, and one year, cutting a 100 foot wide swath when the easement is only 50 feet. flint reimbursed us for everything cut down or cleared outside of the easement, not to mention the survey markers the contractors working for flint that they tore out of the ground. flint paid for an additional survey to replace the markers. in these easements are wildflower plantings, and as long as there aren't trees or scrub brush they don't have a problem, and don't have a problem with my bees that are nearby.