LIPA Commends Oyster Bay Town for Being A Wire Friendly Tree Leader
Massapequa, NY—June 5, 2007—The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) is
dedicated to providing Long Island with a safe, reliable supply of electricity.
To do this, LIPA has implemented a number of proactive programs that help reduce
electric outages and improve safety. One of the most effective programs in this
area is LIPA’s Forestry Program, which features line clearance and planting
smaller, “wire-friendly” trees near electric lines.
The Town of Oyster Bay and Supervisor John Venditto have been strong
supporters of LIPA’s “wire-friendly” tree program. Today LIPA CEO/President
Richard M. Kessel presented the Town of Oyster Bay with rebate checks equaling
$6200 for the planting of “wire-friendly” trees in the spring and fall of 2006.
Oyster Bay was the first town to join LIPA’s program nine years ago and has been
instrumental in creating its success.
“It is due to the support of public officials such as Supervisor Venditto and
municipalities like the Town of Oyster Bay, that LIPA has been successful in
providing safe and reliable electric service to our customers,” said Mr. Kessel.
With today’s check presentation, LIPA has rebated $320,440 to municipalities
or civic organizations for the planting of “wire-friendly” trees, since the
start of the program. The Town of Oyster Bay has been the largest recipient to
this date.
“I am proud that the Town of Oyster Bay holds the distinction of being the
first municipality on Long Island to sign up for LIPA’s ‘Wire-Friendly Trees’
program,” said Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto. “One of the Town’s
major assets is its trees. Without trees, our streets would be sterile
landscapes of concrete, brick, and asphalt. My Town Board colleagues and I have
a strong commitment to protecting and enhancing the Town’s tree resources. The
Town’s participation in the ‘Wire-Friendly Trees’ program has helped us keep
that commitment and is one of the reasons Oyster Bay has been named a ‘Tree City
USA’ for the past 19 years. By planting ‘wire-friendly’ trees, the Town can
maintain attractive, shaded streetscapes while reducing the chance of a tree or
branch coming in contact with electrical wires. It is a win-win for both the
Town and LIPA.”
LIPA has been named a Tree Line USA utility by the National Arbor Day
Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. LIPA was the first
electric utility in New York State to achieve this distinction. The Tree line
USA Award recognizes utilities that meet three requirements: A program of
quality tree care, annual worker training, and public education. Better tree
care by Tree Line USA utilities means beautiful trees for the future and savings
for the customer. For further information on LIPA’s programs visit our Web site
at http://www.lipower.org/. |
