Squirrels and birds might seem harmless, but they’re behind thousands of power outages each year — and utility crews are stepping in to stop it. NYSEG and RG&E announced a $13.8 million effort to install more than 18,000 animal guards across their networks by the end of the year. These devices help keep wildlife from making contact with live electrical equipment, reducing outages and protecting animals in the process. “Wild animals are one of the leading causes of power outages in the state,” said Josh Shail, director of programs and logistics for both companies. Where guards are installedOnce a problem circuit is identified, the companies install guards on equipment like transformer bushings and arresters to block animal contact.