AKRON, Ohio, May 18, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The National
Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation
with the National Association of State Foresters, has recognized
FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) as a Tree Line USA utility for 19 consecutive
years.
The award recognizes investor-owned and public utility companies
– electric, gas and water – that promote the dual goals of reliable
utility service and healthy trees along America's streets and
highways. Award-winning companies demonstrate excellence in
tree care, training and public education.
"It takes dedication to strike a balance between service
reliability and maintaining the beauty of the trees in communities
we serve," said David Karafa, vice
president, Distribution Support, FirstEnergy. "Our employees
and certified forestry contractors do a great job year-round to
properly maintain trees and vegetation. This helps reduce the
frequency and length of power outages, especially during
storms."
FirstEnergy's tree care program combines the best practices of
certified arborists and foresters to keep vegetation away from
power lines and other electric equipment, which helps reduce the
number and severity of service interruptions.
"Service providers like FirstEnergy show that caring for urban
trees is good for business, for customers and for the community,"
said Dan Lambe, president of the
Arbor Day Foundation.
To achieve the Tree Line USA
designation, companies must meet five program standards:
follow industry criteria for quality tree care; provide annual
training for employees in best tree-care practices; sponsor
tree-planting and public education programs on appropriate
plantings; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and
participate in Arbor Day events.
In addition to enhancing service reliability and natural beauty,
FirstEnergy's tree trimming programs are designed to help ensure
the public safety and the safety of utility line crews, especially
during storms and other hazardous conditions.
FirstEnergy Corp. is dedicated to safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution
companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric
systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, West Virginia,
Maryland and New York. The
company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,000 miles
of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp or
online at www.firstenergycorp.com.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.