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\n\tNational recognition cites quality tree care, including proper pruning and training in accordance with industry standards
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\n\tSince 2017, the company has given away more than 16,000 trees to help customers conserve energy and maximize environmental benefits through strategic tree planting
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2013 The Arbor Day Foundation has recognized Duke Energy Florida as a \u201cTree Line USA\u201d utility for the 20th year in a row for its tree care practices and environmental contribution.<\/p>\n
Duke Energy achieved Tree Line USA status by fulfilling certain criteria such as following industry standards for quality tree care, including proper pruning, annually training employees and contractors in best practices, sponsoring tree plantings and public education programs and participating in annual Arbor Day events.<\/p>\n
Free Trees for Duke Energy Florida Customers<\/p>\n
One such event is Duke Energy\u2019s annual tree giveaway in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation\u2019s Energy-Saving Trees program. The program supports energy conservation and reliability through strategic tree planting.<\/p>\n
Each January, Duke Energy customers can order a free tree in honor of Florida Arbor Day. This year, 1,000 trees were given to customers. Since 2017, the company has given away more than 16,000 trees to customers throughout the state.<\/p>\n
The trees are shipped in 1-gallon buckets directly to customers\u2019 homes with planting and care instructions in time for National Arbor Day on Friday, April 24.<\/p>\n
\u201cTrees play a vital role in our natural landscapes. If not planted in the right location they can cause significant damage to our power sources,\u201d\u00a0said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president.\u00a0\u201cThat\u2019s why, through\u00a0our tree giveaways and programming, we prioritize customer education on how to plant trees\u00a0a safe distance away from power lines to\u00a0prevent outages and\u00a0service\u00a0disruption.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Year-Round Tree Maintenance <\/p>\n
Throughout the year, Duke Energy schedules periodic vegetation maintenance along power lines to minimize outages caused by trees in or near transmission and distribution rights of way. The company also performs additional maintenance ahead of hurricane season. Duke Energy makes every effort to notify customers in advance of vegetation management by going door to door, by sending postcards or letters or through digital communications.<\/p>\n
It is important to remember that customers, property owners and untrained contractors should not prune or cut trees and plants near power lines. In addition, when planting trees near power lines, be sure to select a low-growing variety to minimize impact to the lines. Also, contact\u00a0Sunshine\u00a0811<\/a>\u00a0before digging to locate any underground utilities, which are often located in utility easements.<\/p>\n For more information about planning and planting vegetation around electrical facilities, please visit Duke Energy\u2019s Right Tree Right Place website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Duke Energy Florida<\/p>\n Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n Duke Energy <\/p>\n Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America\u2019s largest energy holding companies. The company\u2019s electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.<\/p>\n Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.<\/p>\n