SECO Energy has been named a 2023 Tree Line USA Utility by the Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Line USA recognizes public and private utilities that help to preserve and enhance America’s urban forests. This is the sixteenth year that SECO Energy has attained the Tree Line USA accolade.

Tree Line USA is a national program that is enabled through a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters. Tree Line USA fosters the coexistence of reliable and safely delivered electricity amidst communities that maintain healthy tree populations.

Tree Line USA Standards

Recognized as a Tree Line USA utility for sixteen years in a row, SECO Energy once again strived to meet five program standards. These require utilities to follow industry standards for quality tree care; provide yearly worker training in best tree care practices; sponsor a tree planting and education program; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.

This year is the 151st Anniversary of Arbor Day, celebrated on the last Friday of April. The Arbor Day Foundation is celebrating its 51st Anniversary this year. Since its inception, it has helped plant and distribute nearly 500 million trees in more than 50 countries worldwide. Learn more about Arbor Day and its mission.

“Trees are essential to creating more urban green space in communities across the United States,” said Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation. “They also offer significant benefits to residents, including clean air, clean water and the necessary shade provided by trees. Service providers like SECO Energy are demonstrating how easily trees and utilities can coexist for the benefit of communities and residents.”

Consistent Tree Care Pays Off

CEO Curtis Wynn recognizes SECO Energy’s Vegetation Management team for their sustained excellence as a Tree Line USA Utility. Wynn said, “Congratulations to the Vegetation Management team for adhering to the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree Line USA standards for 16 years. This is quite an achievement, and we are very proud of your commitment to quality tree care in America’s urban forests. SECO Energy makes significant investments into its vegetation management program and adheres to best practices for the safe management of our existing rights-of-way to reduce power outages.”

Wynn continued, “SECO Energy consistently supports good stewardship of the environment. We want SECO Energy members to know that healthy, well-groomed trees planted in the right place can help reduce their annual energy costs.”

Visit Right Tree Right Place for tips on planting trees away from power lines and how trees can help reduce annual energy bills. SECO Energy has also launched online energy efficiency tools to help members reduce energy consumption and costs. The Home Energy Assessment is an online energy audit tailored to each member’s home and lifestyle. A member may enter details about their home that impact energy use and efficiency. This information enables SECO Energy to send free energy-saving advice. The Energy Estimator calculates the cost of electrical devices typically found in most homes. Members who provide their email address receive tips on energy efficiency and other savings opportunities.

“Like” SECO Energy on Facebook and follow @SECOEnergy on Twitter for prize drawings, news releases, and severe weather alerts affecting SECO Energy’s service territory. Manage outage notification preferences at StormCenter. To see when SECO Energy crews/contractors are working in your area, visit our new System Improvement Map. To learn more about SECO Energy as a not-for-profit cooperative, visit About SECO Energy.