PSEG-LI and the Arbor Day Foundation are offering trees to 1,000 customers through the utility’s Energy-Saving Trees program.
The program is designed to showcase how planting the right trees in the right location can reduce utility bills and promote ongoing system reliability.
“We are pleased to offer our customers the Energy-Saving Trees program again this year,” said Michael Voltz, director of Energy Efficiency and Renewables, PSEG Long Island. “Strategically planting energy-saving trees helps save up to 20 percent on summer energy bills once the trees are fully grown, while also improving air quality and reducing storm water runoff for all residents across Long Island.”
PSEG Long Island customers can reserve their free tree at www.arborday.org/pseglongisland. Online, customers will be able to estimate the annual energy savings that will result from planting trees in the most strategic location near their homes or businesses. All participating customers will receive one tree and are expected to care for and plant it in the location provided by the online tool. The types of trees offered include eastern redbud, river birch, tuliptree and white oak.
The program launches on March 24 and will remain open until all 1,000 trees are reserved by customers across the PSEG Long Island service territory. This program has been well received in past years, with the trees reserved very quickly. Customers can claim their trees on April 13 at four distribution sites at PSEG Long Island offices in Hewlett, Hicksville, Brentwood and Riverhead — just in time to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 and Arbor Day on April 26.
The 1,000 trees are estimated to produce more than 1,531,357 kWh in energy savings within 20 years.
The tree online tool was created by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Davey Institute, a division of Davey Tree Expert Co., and uses research from the USDA Forest Service’s i-Tree software to calculate estimated benefits.
In addition to providing approximate energy savings, the tool also estimates the trees’ other benefits, including cleaner air, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and improved storm water management.