Roseville residents save on energy bills, naturally

Roseville Electric's Shade Tree program recently reached the 10,000-tree mark, helping Roseville residents reduce energy bills by adding shade and beauty. Since it began in 1992, the program has provided free trees to Roseville, Calif., residents, schools, apartment complexes, businesses, and local parks.

Roseville Electric Utility Director Tom Habashi (left), Roseville Mayor Claudia Gamar, Roseville Urban Forest Foundation board member Martha Riley, Roseville resident and shade tree recipient Vicki Mongan and RUFF board member George Connor ceremoniously plant the Roseville Shade Tree Program's 10,000th tree.

Trees yield a million in savings

"Reaching 10,000 caused us to look back at the trees we've helped plant," said Program Director Amelia Oliver. "We visited some of the trees planted when the program began and are delighted to see many are more than 40 feet tall and growing strong. Our calculations show that each of those trees have already saved more than 1,000 kWh, or about $100, in energy bills at today's rates. As they mature, they will save even more."

Trees and training for free

Roseville's Shade Tree program is administered by the Roseville Urban Forest Foundation and offers residents up to three trees at no charge when they attend a free workshop and tree-planting demonstration. Between the workshop and demonstration, a trained representative visits the site to determine planting locations and the kind of trees that will provide maximum shade.

A blue-ribbon effort

To honor the 10,000th tree, the Shade Tree program and RUFF presented tree recipients with blue and white ribbons signifying their participation in the program. Residents and businesses were invited to hang the ribbons on a tree in front of their homes or businesses during the month of May.

A natural energy saver

"People don't think of trees as an energy-saving measure, but they provide one of the most cost-effective ways to lower our city's energy consumption," said Roseville Electric Utility Director Tom Habashi. "When the right tree is placed in the right location, its shade lowers indoor temperatures and reduces the load on air conditioners. We support the program because it helps cut the city's demand at the most critical times of the day during summer, but we're also glad to provide added beauty and other important environmental benefits like improving our air quality and reducing erosion," he added.

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