[Press Release] : Columbia tree trimmers help restore power in St. Louis

[pr-l at news.gocolumbiamo.com]

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2006

CONTACT: Gary Maiden
Services Superintendent
(573) 874-6205
or
Dan Dasho
Director of Columbia Water and Light
 (573) 874-7325

Columbia tree trimmers help restore power in St. Louis 

	(Columbia, Missouri)  -- Columbia Water and Light has sent three tree-trimming crews to the St. Louis area to help remove debris from last week’s ice storm. Columbia Water and Light has a contract with Asplundh Tree Expert Company for seven crews to trim trees along electric lines throughout the year in Columbia. On Saturday, Dec. 2, one of the tree-trimming crews went to St. Louis and another two crews were sent Dec. 6. Both crews are expected to be needed for storm recovery efforts for the next two weeks.
	During ice storms, tree branches can be damaged and, in turn, cause power outages or downed lines. Columbia Water and Light budgets $1 million annually to trim trees along overhead power lines. Trimming trees on a three-year cycle helps the reliability of the electric system and keeps the amount needing to be trimmed to a minimum. Gary Maiden, services superintendent, started the routine tree trimming program for the city in the early eighties. 
	He said, “By routinely trimming trees in Columbia, we have seen a lot less outages than when we used to. We appreciate the cooperation of Columbians. We would rather not have to trim trees but it helps keep the lights on, especially during ice storms or high winds.”  
	For nine consecutive years Columbia Water and Light has received the Tree Line USA award from the National Arbor Day Foundation. The program honors utilities for responsible tree-trimming practices and programs to promote appropriate planting near utility lines. Proper planting techniques are encouraged throughout the year by Water and Light employees. The utility also provides free shade trees through its Tree Power program.
	For Columbians experiencing problems with large trees growing near their electric lines, Columbia Water and Light has a Trade-A-Tree program. The utility will remove the tree and provide a replacement tree for qualifying residents. The replacement trees offered in this program are small growing ornamental trees that will not need to be trimmed if planted near overhead power lines.

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