Tampa Electric Earns Tree Line USA® Status for Sixteenth Consecutive...

The National Arbor Day Foundation™ has recognized Tampa Electric as a Tree Line USA® utility for the sixteenth consecutive year for its efforts to protect the health of trees the company must trim near power lines. Tampa Electric reminds customers that a tree that contacts a power line can create a safety hazard and can also lead to power outages.

In honor of Arbor Day today, Tampa Electric donated about 20 trees to the University of South Florida, to be planted on campus.

The Tree Line USA program is sponsored by The National Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters. The program recognizes public and private utilities across the nation that follow practices to protect and enhance America's urban forests. To qualify for Tree Line USA status, a utility must exhibit quality tree care practices, complete annual worker training and participate in tree planting and public education.

"The Tree Line USA designation acknowledges our care for the environment while providing safe and reliable service to our customers and the community," said Chip Whitworth, vice president of Electric Delivery for Tampa Electric. "We are proud to continue our tradition of earning this distinction for more than a decade and a half."

Tampa Electric maintains about 6,100 miles of overhead distribution power lines, including trimming trees along nearly 2,000 miles every year. Trees are a leading cause of power outages.

Tampa Electric encourages customers to review its online Tree Planting and Safety Guide. The company provides information on ideal trees to plant for Florida's climate and where to plant them to minimize the chances that they will come into contact with power lines. Visit TampaElectric.com/Trees to access the guide.

If you are a Tampa Electric customer and have trees on your property that are contacting or in danger of contacting power lines, please call us at 813-635-1500. Please never attempt to trim trees near power lines.

Learn more about National Arbor Day and the Tree Line USA program at arborday.org.

Tampa Electric, one of Florida's largest investor-owned electric utilities, serves about 840,000 customers in West Central Florida. Tampa Electric is a subsidiary of Emera Inc., a geographically diverse energy and services company headquartered in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.