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/.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric utility, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens.  LIPA is the 3rd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of customers served and the 6th largest in terms of electricity delivered.  In 2006, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State in all three major reliability categories.  LIPA does not provide
natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org/.

###

LIPA Contact Information:
Media Relations: (516) 222-7700
Media Pager: (516) 525-LIPA
media.relations@lipower.org

LIPA News Center
http://www.lipower.org/newscenter