Special to the Times-Free Press
As a testament to its continued commitment to environmental stewardship and ensuring electric reliability for customers, Eversource has been named a Tree Line USA utility by the Arbor Day Foundation in all three states where the energy company operates. In collaboration with the National Association of State Foresters, the Tree Line USA program recognizes public and private utilities that demonstrate best practices for quality tree care, promoting the dual goals of safe, reliable electric service for customers while encouraging utility compatible tree planting and nurturing healthy trees to grow and thrive.
“We are honored to receive this recognition that highlights our robust vegetation management program and the dedicated work of our licensed and certified arborists to prune, plant and care for trees year-round,” said Eversource Director of Vegetation Management Sean Redding. “Trees are an essential part of New England’s character, and we’re always focused on balancing the natural beauty of our region with the need to ensure reliable electric service and public safety, which is why trimming or removing hazard trees that threaten power lines is so vital. This achievement underscores the success of our everyday mission, and we look forward to continuing this critical work as well as educating customers about the importance of planting the right tree in the right place.”
Tree Line USA evaluates applicants based on several criteria including adherence to industry best practices for tree care, annual training of employees and contractors, implementation of tree planting and public education programs, and participation in annual Arbor Day events. This year, Eversource partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to distribute more than 1,000 free trees and shrubs to customers across its three-state service territory through the non-profit’s innovative Energy-Saving Trees program.
“Trees are an integral part of creating more urban green spaces in communities across the United States, as well as providing important environmental benefits such as clean air, water, and shade,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Through their thoughtful and thorough work, Eversource demonstrates how trees and utilities can co-exist for the benefit of both customers and their communities.”
In addition to advancing educational partnerships that teach municipalities, students and the public about how to plan before they plant, Eversource also works with property owners to help them understand their responsibility to maintain their own trees. For more information about the company’s comprehensive vegetation management program, please visit the dedicated page of its website.
Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is among the top energy companies in Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2024 and recognized as a Five-Year Champion, appearing in every edition of the list. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to 1.8 million customers throughout Massachusetts, including approximately 1.47 million electric customers in 140 communities, 639,000 gas customers in 117 communities, and 11,500 water customers in five communities. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,900 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. Together with our partners, we have helped plant more than 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. Through our members, partners and programs, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people across the globe to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.