Pepco customers can 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 enjoy the energy-saving benefits that trees provide over time.
When planted correctly, trees can reduce energy bills by 15 to 30 percent as they mature. Since the beginning of this partnership, distributed trees provided nearly $10.3 million in energy savings. They also reduced electricity use by more than 42.6 million kWh, which is enough to power more than 47,400 homes a month. The program has also had a positive impact on the environment, with more than 73 million pounds of CO2 trapped. That’s the equivalent of more than 7,200 cars off the road. The combined energy and community impact is more than $16.8 million in benefits. Customers can learn more about energy efficiency by visiting pepco.com/WaystoSave.
“Trees provide valuable benefits to our customers by improving air quality, creating more comfortable living environments and as they mature can reduce energy bills,” said Amber Perry, region president for Pepco. “Our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation allows us to deliver practical solutions that make homes more efficient and contribute to healthier communities, ensuring our customers enjoy long-term savings and a better quality of life.”
“Building strong, healthy communities starts with growing and sustaining thriving tree canopies—an effort that depends on bold collaboration among utilities and community champions,” said Kristen Bousquet of the Arbor Day Foundation. “By empowering residents to plant trees today, Pepco is helping drive long-term energy efficiency while shaping a more sustainable, resilient future for communities.”
Pepco will provide 700 free trees to customers across the District and Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties in Maryland. Customers can choose their tree from several types of species native to the northeast region, such as Baldcypress, River Birch, Eastern Redbud, Red Maple and Flowering Dogwood. Visit arborday.org/pepco to reserve a tree while supplies last. Pepco also reminds customers to know what’s below and call 811 to have utility underground lines marked before they begin planting.
Overall, these trees will provide 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.
Pepco 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. Learn more about urban planting work done by the Arbor Day Foundation at arborday.org.
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