Alabama Power Company has been named a Tree Line USA Utility by the National Arbor Day Foundation – the 10th straight year the company has been honored for its tree-trimming practices. The award recognizes utilities whose line-clearance programs include quality tree care, annual worker training in tree-care practices and a tree planting and public education program.

"Alabama Power Company is proud to receive the Tree Line USA designation for the 10th year in a row,” said Paul Garmon, senior line clearing specialist for Alabama Power. “This signifies the commitment we have made over the last decade to improve electric service to our customers through good environmental stewardship with our Vegetation Management program.”

Alabama Power has more than 80,000 miles of distribution lines on its system. Alabama Power follows Tree Line USA guidelines in maintaining these lines and employees who manage the company’s tree service contractors, along with contractor supervisors, are certified by the International Society of Arboriculture. The Arbor Day Foundation, in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities that demonstrate practices that protect and enhance America's urban forests. The Tree Line USA program promotes the dual goals of safe, reliable electric service and abundant, healthy trees across utility service areas.

Participation in the Tree Line USA program benefits Alabama Power and Alabama Power customers. Proper pruning lowers line-clearance costs, improves the reliability of electric service and helps lower the number of outages during storms by reducing the incidence of downed lines from falling tree limbs.

For more information about Tree Line USA or other Arbor Day Foundation programs, visit http://www.arborday.org/.

Alabama Power's 6,800 employees are dedicated to protecting the environment while providing reliable, affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million customers across the state. Learn more at www.alabamapower.com.
 

Media Contact: Michael Sznajderman 205-257-4155