Delmarva Power customers can request free energy-saving trees
Delmarva Power customers can now request a free tree to plant at their home as part of the company’s partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees program. Residential customers can reserve a complimentary tree on a first-come, first-served basis and reap the energy-saving benefits that trees provide.
Delmarva Power will make 730 trees available to customers throughout its Delaware and Maryland service areas. Customers can choose their tree from several types of species native to the northeast region, such as baldcypress, river birch, eastern redbud, flowering dogwood and red maple.
To reserve a tree, go to arborday.org/Delmarva or call 855-670-2772. Delmarva Power reminds customers to know what's below and call 811 to have utility-owned underground lines marked before digging to plant any trees or shrubs.
“We know the value that trees and environmental stewardship bring to our communities and the cost-saving, energy-efficient benefits customers experience,” said Phil Vavala, Delmarva Power region president. “Our multiyear partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation is a key element in building a greener future. When planted correctly, trees provided through the program can reduce energy bills by 15 to 30 percent as they mature. These trees play a vital role in shielding homes from the summer sun and mitigating the chill of winter winds, resulting in improved energy efficiency. Additionally, they improve the quality of the air residents breathe. Customers can access interactive online tools from the Arbor Day Foundation to help them determine the best locations for planting trees to maximize energy savings.”
“Growing thriving tree canopies is an instrumental part of building strong, healthy communities, and we rely on companies, municipalities, nonprofits and utility providers to be bold in their belief that we can build better neighborhoods through trees,” said Kristen Bosquet, Arbor Day Foundation program manager. “By empowering community members to plant trees today, Delmarva Power is helping lay the groundwork for a better tomorrow.”
The trees distributed by Delmarva Power since beginning its partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation are expected to absorb more than 206,635 lbs. of air pollutants, save nearly 27.3 million kWh of energy and provide nearly $11 million in combined energy and community benefits.
Delmarva Power has also been a Tree Line USA member for more than 20 years. Tree Line USA is a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters that recognizes public and private utilities for pursuing best practices that protect and cultivate America's urban tree canopy.
