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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 105%;">CITY OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI<br />P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<h2 style="font-size: 180%;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</h2>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">February 13, 2019</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 35px; font-size: 120%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Lissie Wade
<br />Community Relations Specialist
<br />Community Relations/Water & Light
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.817.6498
<br />Lissie.Wade@CoMo.gov
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<br />Danny Cohn
<br />Arbor Day Foundation
<br />402.473.9563
<br />dcohn@arborday.org</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:145%;"><h3 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 170%;">Columbia Water & Light named 2019 Tree Line USA by Arbor Day Foundation</h3>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Arbor Day Foundation has named City of Columbia Water & Light as a 2019 Tree Line USA recipient in honor of the City’s commitment to proper tree pruning, planting and care.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Tree Line USA, a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters, recognizes public and private utilities for pursuing practices that protect and enhance America's urban trees. Tree Line USA promotes the dual goals of delivering safe and reliable electricity while maintaining healthy community forests.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"We are very happy to receive this award from Tree Line USA. The award is a testament of the hard work and commitment our employees continuously showcase when providing reliable electric power. This is done by working with customers to protect our trees, and to provide trees for future generations to enjoy," City of Columbia Water & Light Electric Distribution Manager Fred Eaton said. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Water & Light achieved Tree Line USA by meeting five program standards. Utilities must follow industry standards for quality tree care; provide annual worker training in best tree-care practices; sponsor a tree planting and public education program; maintain a tree-based energy conservation program; and participate in an Arbor Day celebration.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Trees are a critical part of urban landscapes all across the United States," Arbor Day Foundation President Dan Lambe said. "Service providers like City of Columbia Water & Light demonstrate that it’s possible for trees and utilities to co-exist for the benefit of communities and citizens."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">More information about Tree Line USA can be found at</span><a href="https://programs.cmail19.com/t/r-l-jtduckk-utdkkjuutt-j/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">www.arborday.org/TreeLineUSA</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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