Help the PUD Plant More Trees!

We are fortunate here in the Evergreen State to live in a part of the world with an abundance of glorious trees. These towering firs, pines, conifers and more have several perks. They help clean the air by absorbing carbon dioxide and other gases, providing oxygen, reducing noise pollution and providing food and shelter to wildlife.

Trees can also help conserve energy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, trees can reduce the ambient temperature of an area by 2 to 9 degrees Fahrenheit as a result of the shade they create. This means less energy is required to cool buildings during warm temperatures.

Snohomish County PUD’s Tree Relief for Energy Efficiency, or TREE, Power program was created to provide funding for organizations to plant trees in public spaces and urban areas that could have a positive impact.

The goal of these projects is to use trees and natural vegetation to promote energy efficiency by reducing the heat retention of buildings and pavement and, ultimately, lessen the need for air conditioning.

The awards are given from a grant supplied by the American Public Power Association for the purpose of planting trees in public areas throughout the PUD’s service territory. Funding is available for government, quasi-government and non-profit organizations, and public agencies for tree planting on publicly accessible land.

The program had a very successful pilot launch last year. Three grants were awarded to the cities of Arlington, Everett and Mukilteo. The City of Arlington already completed its planting along the Centennial Trail between East 3rd and 4th Street. Everett and Mukilteo will complete plantings at Walter E. Hall Park and Japanese Gulch, respectively, later this year.

Project funding generally ranges from $7,500 to $15,000 and covers the cost of trees, staking and structural supports, mulch, watering bags, labor and maintenance. Applications are due by Friday, June 6, so apply today!

If your business doesn’t qualify, you can still help the TREE Power program. PUD customers are able to donate to help support future projects. If you would like to learn more about the program, apply for a grant, donate to the fund or view the PUD’s Heat Map, which identifies areas with the greatest potential for conservation, or visit snopud.com/TREEpower.

The PUD is proud to help play a small part in supporting urban forestry projects throughout our service territory. By working together, we can all help plant more trees and reduce our energy usage for generations to come.

Right Plant, Right Place

Learn more about which trees and vegetation to plant near power lines by downloading the PUD Tree Book at snopud.com/trees.