What Others Are Saying About Rep. Matsui's Energy Conservation Through Trees Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 10, 2011

CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
About Rep. Matsui's Energy Conservation Through Trees Act

One week ago today, Representative Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced H.R. 2095, the Energy Conservation Through Trees Act of 2011, legislation that would support programs run by electric utilities that use targeted planting of shade trees in order to reduce residential energy demand. This legislation will help homeowners lower their electric bills and help utilities lower their peak load demand by reducing residential energy demand caused by the need to run air conditioners at a high level.

Here is what others are saying about the Energy Conservation Through Trees Act:

SMUD has supported the development of a sustainable urban forest through our program with positive results. We are honored that our Shade Tree program was used as the template for the enhancement of urban forests nationwide.
- Renee Taylor, Board President, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD)

The Sacramento AQMD is very supportive of this bill since trees have well known benefits for the environment generally and air quality specifically. We have long worked closely with our advocacy agencies to add more trees to our region.
- Larry Greene, Executive Director, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (AQMD)

Congresswoman Doris Matsui's Energy Conservation through Trees Act addresses benefits for communities and ratepayers alike lowering energy use through shading and cooling saves money and the need to produce energy at the power plant, consequently reducing emissions into the atmosphere and problems from air pollution impacting public health. This bill will create opportunities across the country to create more green jobs positively impacting the economy as well.
- Nancy Hughes, Executive Director, California Urban Forests Council

American Forests is in full support of Congresswoman Doris Matsui's innovative Energy Conservation Through Trees Act. This legislation provides a strong incentive for electric utilities to partner with nonprofit organizations and support strategic tree-planting projects that will lower peak energy demand and conserve energy. Strategically placed trees will offer homeowners numerous benefits, beyond lowering their energy bills. Shade trees help mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality by absorbing particulate matter, store carbon, improve drinking water quality, and reduce stormwater run-off and flooding. American Forests encourages members of Congress to follow Representative Matsui's leadership in understanding all the benefits trees provide.
- Scott Steen, Chief Executive Officer, American Forests

Planting shade trees serves as an effective approach to lowering home energy consumption, and we encourage members of Congress to follow Representative Matsui's leadership. Beyond lowering utility bills, trees can help increase property values, help prevent flooding by absorbing stormwater, and reduce the urban heat island effect.
- Nancy Somerville, Executive Vice President and CEO, American Society of Landscape Architects

APWA applauds Congresswoman Matsui for introducing this innovative legislation that will provide numerous air and water quality benefits that contribute the important quality of life for all members of a community and assist public works departments in improving air quality, reducing heat island affects and prevent stormwater runoff.
- Peter King, Executive Director, American Public Works Association

Alliance for Community Trees resoundingly supports this legislation and Congresswoman Matsui's vision and leadership. We know people care about trees and about their pocketbooks. This legislation recognizes that trees not only beautify homes and our neighborhoods and improve individual property values, but they also save real, everyday dollars for homeowners and businesses by providing heat-beating, energy-saving shade. Trees are an integral part of creative green solutions to our country's energy demands.
- Carrie Gallagher, Executive Director, Alliance for Community Trees

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