Lincoln, Neb. (October 9, 2012) – Delmarva Power is providing 3,000 free trees to customers through Energy-Saving Trees, an Arbor Day Foundation program that helps conserve energy and reduce electricity bills through strategic tree planting.
Starting today, Delmarva Power customers can reserve their free trees at arborday.org/delmarvatrees. An online tool helps customers estimate the annual energy savings that will result from planting trees in the most strategic location on their property. Customers can reserve up to two trees and are expected to care for and plant them in the location provided by the online tool. The types of trees offered include Washington hawthorn, white dogwood, bald cypress, American beech, hackberry, river birch and sugar maple.
The program will continue until all 3,000 trees are reserved. The two-to-four foot tall trees will be delivered directly to customers at an ideal time for planting.
"This program benefits the environment and can help customers save money on their energy bills," said Gary Stockbridge, Delmarva Power Region President.
The "Energy-Saving Trees" online tool was created by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Davey Institute, a division of Davey Tree Expert Co., and uses peer-reviewed scientific 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.
The 3,000 trees are estimated to produce more than $500,000 in energy savings within 20 years.
About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org, or by visiting us on Facebook, Twitter or our blog.