Central Maine Power Receives National Designation for Excellence in Tree Care

 

Utility representatives observe Arbor Week with seedling donations to schools and community organizations


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Augusta, Maine, May 12, 2016  A national group has recognized Central Maine Power Co., a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc. (NYSE:AGR), has been recognized as a Tree Line USA Utility for 2015.The designation comes from the National Arbor Day Foundation, the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees.

 

We are thrilled to have earned this recognition from Arbor Day Foundation, said Tom Irwin, head of Vegetation Management for CMP. We are proud of the quality tree care that our trained professionals and contractors have provided over the years, and receiving this designation demonstrates that we are doing the right things.

 

To receive the designation, utilities must meet five core standards set by the Foundation:

  • Quality Tree Care that meets industry standards for pruning, planting, removals, and other activity
  • Annual Worker Training in best practices for utility employees and contract workers
  • Tree Planting and Public Education programs that demonstrate proper tree planting, placement and pruning while expanding the tree canopy in the community
  • Tree-Based Energy Conservation Programs that put special consideration on the value of trees in energy conservation
  • Arbor Day Celebration sponsorship at the community level.

 

Arbor Week celebrations get under way soon


CMP is observing Arbor Week (May 16-20) by distributing thousands of free seedlings to schools and community organizations throughout its 11,000-square-mile service area.

 

The utility applauds efforts of people throughout Maine who are observing Arbor Week with a broad range of tree-planting activities. Trees add beauty to the landscape, help clean the air, and provide shade and animal habitat.


 
But trees can also interfere with power lines, disrupting electric service and even posing safety hazards, so the utility urges people to plan before they plant.


 
Keeping trees away from power lines enhances safe, reliable service, so our tree crews prune along almost 4,800 miles of lines each year, said Irwin. As an arborist, I know the best way to have healthy trees and reliable service is by choosing the right trees for your location.


 
Proper selection and placement of trees near overhead power lines can eliminate potential hazards and improve the appearance of your property. CMP encourages people who would like to plant a tree in observance of Arbor Week to plan before you plant, and offers the following tips:

 

  • Before planting, look around the area for power lines and other hazards, and keep in mind that today's sapling will eventually grow into a mature tree many times its current size.
  • Avoid planting trees directly underneath power lines or too close to electric facilities  along with minimizing the chance of power interruption, this keeps you and the public safe.
  • Trees like white pine, maple, ash, fir, and spruce that will be 60 feet or taller when mature should be planted no closer than 60 feet from the nearest power line.
  • Trees like crabapple, juniper, and dogwood that will be no more than 20 feet tall at maturity may be planted as close as 15 feet from the power line.
  • If plantings must go beneath lines, consider shrubs such as common lilac and spicebush or dwarf trees that will not grow up into the lines.


Your local tree nursery can give lots of helpful advice on the types of trees or shrubs appropriate for particular sites and growing conditions, adds Irwin. 
 


Seedlings are being distributed to schools and community organizations in the following cities and towns:


Albion, Bridgton, Falmouth, Farmington, Guilford, Jefferson, Litchfield, Orland, Penobscot, Portland, Saco, Sanford, South Thomaston, St. George, Topsham, Troy, Turner, Waldoboro, and Yarmouth.

 

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CMP Arborist Mei-Ling Cheung speaks with second graders in Jefferson in one of several presentations to be held as the utility observes Arbor Week. CMP will distribute thousands of seedlings to schools and community organizations throughout central and southern Maine.

 

About Central Maine Power Company (CMP): Central Maine Power Company (CMP) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE:AGR). As Maine's largest electricity transmission and distribution utility, CMP serves 620,000 homes and businesses, representing about 80% of Maine's customer base. J.D. Power and Associates has ranked the company #1 in customer satisfaction seven times. For more information, visit www.cmpco.com. 


About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a diversified energy and utility company with $31 billion in assets and operations in 25 states. The company operates regulated utilities and electricity generation through two primary lines of business. Avangrid Networks includes eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.1 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables operates 6.3 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, across the United States. AVANGRID employs 7,000 people. The company was formed by a merger between Iberdrola USA and UIL Holdings Corporation in 2015. IBERDROLA, S.A. (Madrid: IBE), a worldwide leader in the energy industry, owns 81.5% of AVANGRID. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

 

Media Contact:

Gail Rice
Central Maine Power
gail.rice@cmpco.com
207.622.NEWS (207.622.6397)

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