Celebrating Arbor Day today and into the future, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-6th) and co-sponsors Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3rd) and Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) introduced legislation to reduce residential energy consumption and costs through strategically planting trees.
The Residential Energy and Economic Savings Act (TREES Act) encourages utility companies to partner with local non-profit tree planting groups to properly plant trees to reduce electrical demand, lower electric bills, protect water quality and public health. Utility companies will see peak load demand reductions during summer and winter months which will relieve pressure on the power grid.
The Department of Energy in cooperation with the State Forestry Agencies will develop and implement a cost share program for retail power providers who work in close partnership with tree planting organizations to plant and maintain trees. “Congresswoman Matsui understands that a tree in the right place will cool homes and can save money among many other benefits.” said Monica Lear, state forester of the District of Columbia and Chair of the Urban and Community Forestry Committee of the National Association of State Foresters, “We greatly appreciate the efforts of the Congresswoman to reduce energy demand and improve air and water quality by introducing the TREES Act.”