Exelon Tree Planting Means Energy-Saving Shade, Happier Homeowners

Throughout most of the nation, Exelon’s family of companies represents every stage of the energy chain. In Illinois and the mid-Atlantic region, its six utilities deliver not only electricity and natural gas to some 10 million customers, they also provide free trees in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation’s Energy-Saving Trees program. The purpose of this program is to use trees to shade homes and reduce energy consumption. In pursuit of that goal, last spring, Exelon planted its 100,000th tree ― with a promise of many more to come.

Pepco, the Exelon company in Washington, D.C., gave away 1,000 trees last year. Company spokesperson Christina Harper says that the program has become more popular in the past eight years. She also points out that “a properly planted tree can save a homeowner about 15–17% on their energy bills.”

Read: How our Energy-Saving Trees Program Earned our Partner an Award

But the trees do even more than save energy. Maryland resident Anka Meyers is a recipient of trees and was featured in the Voice of America news service. She agrees with the energy-saving idea but says planting a tree goes far beyond that. She said, “Trees generate happiness.” To Anka, it is the flowering in spring, the green shade in summer, and colorful fall foliage that brings her happiness.

Exelon’s partnership has benefited approximately 10,500 homeowners throughout the past eight years. Moreover, Exelon is an Evergreen Alliance member, the group of corporate partners that are serving as ambassadors to provide funding and encourage tree planting and education as part of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Time for Trees® initiative. This initiative is intended to inspire 5 million tree planters around the globe and to plant 100 million trees to help celebrate the 150th anniversary of Arbor Day.

Exelon’s 33,400 employees and the residents they serve will continue to be an appreciated part of bringing more trees to the neighborhoods of America.     

Learn more about the Energy-Saving Trees program.