ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.,
Jan. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/
-- Duke Energy Florida, in partnership with the Arbor Day
Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees program, is giving away 2,500 free
trees to its customers to honor Florida Arbor Day on Friday
(Jan. 18).
Duke Energy customers statewide can request a free tree, in
a one-gallon pot, online at arborday.org/dukeenergy starting Friday
and continuing until all trees are distributed.
The website enables a customer to insert his or her address and
select the location on the property where the tree will be planted.
The website will then recommend which of the available tree species
is best suited for that region.
It will also specify the planting location on the customer's
property that will provide the most energy-saving benefits for the
home.
The tree is then shipped directly to the customer's home in a
box with planting and care instructions. The trees are expected to
be delivered in time for National Arbor Day, April 26, 2019.
Available tree species include the Eastern Redbud, Crape myrtle,
Dahoon Holly, Florida Maple, Red
Bottlebrush and Pineapple Pear.
Duke Energy Florida is investing $100,000 to purchase the trees and has partnered
with the Arbor Day Foundation to distribute them.
Duke Energy has participated in the program for three
consecutive years. Since 2017, the company has given away more than
5,000 trees to customers throughout the state.
"Trees help conserve energy, they are beautiful additions to any
yard, and they provide much-appreciated shade in the Sunshine
State," said Catherine Stempien,
Duke Energy Florida president. "We help customers plant the right
tree in the right place so we can continue to provide safe and
reliable energy. Our ongoing Energy-Saving Trees partnership, along
with our recognition as a 'Tree Line USA' utility for 13 consecutive years,
exemplifies our commitment to our customers and the
environment."
The Arbor Day Foundation's Energy-Saving Trees and Tree Line
USA programs demonstrate how trees
and utilities can co-exist for the benefit of communities and
citizens by highlighting best management practices in public and
private utility arboriculture.
Tree Line USA evaluates
applicants, such as Duke Energy, based on several criteria,
including their adherence to industry best practices for tree care,
training of employees and contractors, implementation of public
education and tree-planting projects, and participation in annual
Arbor Day events. Duke Energy Florida has been recognized for its
tree management practices for 13 consecutive years.
For information about planning and planting vegetation around
electrical facilities, please visit Duke Energy's Plan Before You
Plant website.
According to the Florida Forest Service, Florida has one of the
oldest Arbor Day celebrations in the nation, having held the
statewide event on the third Friday in January every year since
1886.
Meanwhile, National Arbor Day has been observed since 1872 on
the last Friday in April.
Both state and national Arbor Day activities promote the
benefits of trees in urban environments and encourage tree planting
and care.
For additional information, customers can visit
arborday.org/dukeenergy.
Duke Energy
Florida
Duke Energy Florida owns and operates a diverse generation mix,
including natural gas, coal and renewables, providing about 9,300
megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 1.8 million
customers in a 13,000-square-mile service area.
Duke Energy Florida is a subsidiary of Duke Energy (NYSE:
DUK).
Headquartered in Charlotte,
N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding
companies in the U.S., with approximately 29,000 employees and a
generating capacity of 49,500 megawatts. The company is
transforming its customers' experience, modernizing its energy
grid, generating cleaner energy and expanding its natural gas
infrastructure to create a smarter energy future for the people and
communities it serves.
The company's Electric Utilities and Infrastructure unit serves
approximately 7.6 million retail electric customers in six states –
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio
and Kentucky. Its Gas Utilities
and Infrastructure unit distributes natural gas to approximately
1.6 million customers in five states – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Its Commercial Renewables unit
operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the U.S.
A Fortune 125 company, Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2018
"World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' 2018 "America's
Best Employers" list.
More information about the company is available at
duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center includes news
releases, fact sheets, photos, videos and other materials. Duke
Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations,
community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on
Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Peveeta Persaud
Office: 727.820.5592 | 24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_PeveetaP
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SOURCE Duke Energy